IPL 2020: Match 44 – CSK vs RCB – Who Said What

The 44th match of the Indian Premier League saw action between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. CSK fans finally got their lost smile as the team won the contest by eight wickets. Choosing to display the batting action first, RCB posted an average 145/6 on the board. Skipper, Virat Kohli, displayed his usual heroics to bring a sublime half-century (50 off 43) for the team. He was complemented by another star, AB de Villiers, who produced 39 runs off his bat.

Gaikwad was named as the player of the match as he added all the lost spark to the champion team. Young hero Devdutt Padikkal played a cameo of 22 runs to get the team going. The bowling display of the yellow army remained perfectly on point today, and the entry of Michael Santner added value to the team. Santner conceded only 23 runs to pick one wicket. Sam Curran got three crucial wickets under his pocket.

While chasing a modest total, the opening stand of Gaikwad (65* off 51) and Faf du Plessis (25 off 13) gave a perfect start to the team. Ambati Rayudu (39 off 27) and MS Dhoni (19* off 21) added their respectable contributions to get a yellow army over the line. Yuzvendra Chahal saw one wicket under his belt while being economical for the team.

Losing skipper, Virat Kohli said

What you saw in the second innings wasn’t a true reflection of how difficult the pitch was. We didn’t hit the areas. Too many boundary balls. They bowled really well. We hardly got any drive balls from them. We were looking for 150, but we were happy with 145. Our extra pace might be a factor but that can’t be an excuse. We just didn’t bowl enough slower balls. No change of pace, no bouncers. We saw how difficult it was to get under those slower balls.

Winning skipper, MS Dhoni said

I felt this one was one of the perfect games. Everything went to plan, and the execution was there. We kept picking wickets, and kept them to a total that was slightly below par. The wicket was on a slower side, and the spinners did a good job. We haven’t been very consistent with the batting. Today the start was very good. Rutu batted well. He backed himself to play the shots he is known for. Looking to time the ball, if you look for four, you can get six. It does hurt when you don’t do well so you try to amplify certain emotions. So that the guys just don’t drop the game. That can leave with 12 painful hours of the remaining time in the tournament. You have to enjoy the game no matter where you are on the table. If you are not enjoying the cricket, it can become cruel and painful. So I am glad with how the youngsters have responded.

Player of the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad said

It feels good. More importantly, winning the game for the team. And being not out in the end. It was tough for me going into quarantine for more days than the rest of the team because of Covid. I got support from everybody. I knew a knock was always around the corner. It was a little bit slow, but I was picking up the gaps. And I was pro-active to pick which bowlers to attack and which to not.