Punjab Kings played against Chennai Super Kings at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. PBKS stunned CSK by a 18-run win and the struggle continues for the five-time champions to chase a target that’s above 180. Priyansh Arya hit a spectacular century, the untested batter produced a performance of his career to score 103 runs from 42 deliveries while hitting 7 boundaries and 9 massive sixes during the fastest century by an uncapped IPL player ever (39 balls).
Ruturaj Gaikwad Highlights CSK’s Mistake
After the match concluded CSK skipper opened up about the dropped catches and about the defeat.
“(On the dropped catches) In the last four games, that is the only point of difference. It has been very critical. Every time we are dropping the catch, the same batter is adding 20-25-30 runs extra. If you leave out the RCB game, the last three chases, it was a matter of one or two or maybe three hits.”
Gaikwad Praises Priyansh Arya
“Sometimes you have to appreciate the way Priyansh played. He took his chances. It was high-risk batting and it came off really well for him. Even though we were taking wickets, they kept the momentum going. 10-15 (less we could have conceded), if we would have executed well, and at the end of the day, it also comes down to the dropped catches. Today was spot-on from a batting perspective. This is what we wanted.”
“Want To Take Positives” Says CSK Skipper
“Our best batters, who can play pace very well, played up the order and had a brilliant powerplay. It was a better, improved performance and many positives. Want to take some positives out of it, and we were two or three hits away (from winning). He (Conway) is more of a timer of the ball, very useful up the order. When you have Jaddu, known for that (finishing) role particularly, you expect that. When you know the batter is struggling…initially he (Conway) was still timing it well.”
Fielding Very Crucial For Winning Matches
“We waited and waited until (he started struggling). Told the guys we have to enjoy the fielding. If you are nervous, you will drop some catches. If you look to be a standout fielder, the first catch taken, the first boundary saved helps everyone. Batting and bowling, you can have a bad day, but in fielding, that is something we are trying to work on, but right now, it is not happening.”