CSK vs LSG: T20 WC 2024 in mind? Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals reason behind Ravindra Jadeja's promotion in batting order

Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced off against the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 39th match of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) on Tuesday, April 23, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.

After being invited to bat first in the match, CSK lost the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane for 1. The No.3 and No.4. batters - Daryl Mitchell and Ravindra Jadeja - failed to make significant contributions with the bat but next came Shivam Dube, who provided sensational support to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Ruturaj Gaikwad paced his innings perfectly and converted his half-century into a triple-figure score while Shivam Dube (66 off 27) blasted a quickfire fifty. Gaikwad finished with 108 runs off 60 balls as CSK posted a huge total of 210/4 on the board. 

Defending the score, CSK reduced LSG to 33/2 but Marcus Stoinis played one of the best T20 innings of his career and bailed the team out of trouble. He was involved in some brilliant partnerships that brought LSG back into the game.

Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten till the very end and smoked 124 runs off 63 balls, with 13 fours and 6 sixes, to complete the run-chase in 19.3 overs and lead his team to an outstanding 6-wicket win.

Speaking after the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad labeled the defeat as a tough pill to swallow but he praised Marcus Stoinis for his stupendous innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad said:

"Tough pill to swallow, but good game of cricket. LSG played really well in the back end. We had the game in control till 13-14 overs, but Stoinis played a great innings."

Ruturaj Gaikwad also said that the dew played a part in CSK's defeat as it took their spinners out of the game. Ruturaj Gaikwad stated:

"(On dew) It played a part, there was a huge amount of dew and it took our spinners out of the game. We could have otherwise controlled the game better and taken it deeper. But these are parts of the game, can’t control it. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad further answered the hot question of Ravindra Jadeja's promotion to No.4 once again, which delayed Shivam Dube's arrival in the middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad asserted that they promoted Jadeja because they lost the second wicket inside powerplay. He also spoke about Dube's batting position. He said:

"Jaddu is batting at number 4 since we lost the second wicket within the powerplay. (On Dube’s entry point) Our thinking is clear that after the powerplay if there is a wicket, Shivam will come out to bat. We can’t force batters to get out after. To be honest, I thought our target wasn’t enough, it was just about par because of the dew we’ve seen during our practice sessions. But credit to the way LSG batted."

Chennai Super Kings' Home Performance In IPL 2024 Before The Lucknow Super Giants Clash

CSK started off their IPL 2024 season by defeating the Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at their fortress - Chepauk - by 6 wickets. Bowling first they stopped RCB at a total of 173/6 and then completed the run-chase inside 19 overs with Mustafizur Rahman winning the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance.

Chennai Super Kings next defeated the former IPL champions - Gujarat Titans and the Kolkata Knight Riders - by 63 runs and 7 wickets respectively to complete a hat-trick of wins at home. Against GT, Shivam Dube was awarded Player of the Match for his amazing half-century, and in the KKR clash, it was Ravindra Jadeja's stellar performance with the ball that earned him the award.