For the first time in the history of IPL, Chennai Super Kings lost both their opening matches. First he was defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders and then by Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets. In the first match, the batsmen could not make a strong score, while in the second match the inexperienced bowlers could not defend the score of 211.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai opener and the highest run-scorer in the last season, could not reach double digits in both the matches. Devon Conway opened the innings with him in the first match. He returned to the pavilion after scoring just three runs in 8 balls. In the second match, Chennai tried Robin Uthappa as an opener along with Gaikwad. Uthappa scored 50 runs in 27 balls.
Ravi Shastri feels that former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking in good form but the openers will have to get back into the rhythm. In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Shastri said, ‘Biggest for Chennai. The problem is that both his openers are not performing. The new captain has taken over the reins of the team and he is under pressure. Yes, Dhoni is in form but if one of his openers does not pick up the momentum, then problems can increase for him in the tournament.
Shastri advised Gaikwad to give time to himself. He said that he should take some time in the beginning of the innings. He can cover the slow start later.
He said, ‘Ruturaj Gaikwad should give himself some time. He is a good timer, he can cover a slow start later as he has all kinds of shots. If he starts off calmly and keeps pace with the pace of the pitch, the runs will automatically start coming in. These are good pitches to bat on. Compared to last year, these pitches have good bounce and the ball is coming on the bat well.
Gaikwad had tried to do the same in the previous match but he was distracted during the LBW appeal and he was run-out in the same affair. Along with this, their weakness on the incoming balls was also caught by the opposition teams and they try their best to take advantage of it.
Chennai Super Kings will next face Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. Punjab Kings have champion bowler Kagiso Rabada and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who can put Gaikwad in trouble.
Source: navbharattimes.indiatimes.com
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