Chennai (Tamil Nadu) : Following the three-run loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni said that they failed to rotate strike against spinners in the middle overs and the ownership of the loss should come from the batters.
A nail-biting match came to a dramatic end with Sandeep Sharma barely managing to defend 21 runs in the final over and RR stood victorious over CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. “I think in the middle overs we needed a bit more strike rotation, there was not much for the spinners but they had experienced spinners and we could not rotate strike. It was not that difficult and the ownership (of the loss) should come from the batters. It was good that we could reach striking distance (of the target) as we were the last pair. It really affects the net-run rate (NRR) when you get to the last phase of the tournament,” said Dhoni in the post-match presentation.
“You see the field, see the bowler and what the bowler is trying to do, after that just stand still and wait for them to commit the mistake, if they bowl in good areas then good luck to them. I would wait for it and that is something which has worked for me, you need to back your strength and my strength is to hit straight. There was a bit of dew and once the ball went to the outfield it became easier for the batters. Overall I was very happy with the bowlers,” added the skipper.
Dhoni said that he was not aware that this was his 200th game as skipper for CSK in IPL.
“I really did not know it was my 200th (game as CSK skipper) and milestones do not really matter for me, it is about how you are performing and the results,” concluded Dhoni.
With this win, RR is the table-toppers, having won three out of their four matches. They have a total of six points. CSK is in the fifth spot with two wins and two losses and a total of four points.
