Chennai Super Kings slumped to their third successive defeat in as many games on Sunday, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad took the blame for the loss on himself.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, the skipper had not much explanation to offer after Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed CSK by 43 runs. Asking RCB to bat first proved costly as Tim David blasted a 25-ball 70 to power the hosts to 250 for 3. Devdutt Padikkal (50) and Rajat Patidar (48*) also struck fluent knocks.
Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer and Jamie Overton did put up a fight but not enough to take them over the line. “If I would have contributed more, maybe it could have been different. It (the loss) was definitely on me today,” said Gaikwad, who scored seven runs.
“We still had the game in our hands till the 13-14th over (of the bowling innings) but let momentum slip after it,” he added.
Talking about Tim David’s explosive knock, Gaikwad said it was disappointing they couldn’t get him out earlier, especially when Anshul Kamboj had him with a yorker that was a no-ball for overstepping.
“Almost got a wicket of him but it was an illegal delivery. After that, he smacked it all around the park. Hats off to him.”
RCB skipper Patidar lauded David’s knock that shifted the momentum and powered the team to a massive total.
“He (David) is a specialist, and one of the best finishers. He is consistent and one of the best finishers I have ever seen,” he said.
Patidar also had special mention for Krunal Pandya, who dismissed Sarfaraz Khan and Kartik Sharma in one over. “Whenever I come under pressure, I look to KP (Krunal Pandya) and I have that much belief in him.”
