RCB vs CSK: 'Missing out on 3 key players made difference' - Ruturaj Gaikwad on CSK's failure to qualify for playoffs

In the 68th match of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024), Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns with the Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.

Opting to bowl first in the match, Chennai Super Kings did a poor job and ended up conceding 218 runs. Other than Mitchell Santner and Maheesh Theekshana, all the bowlers gave away runs at an economy of over 12. Shardul Thakur picked up two wickets in the innings while Tushar Deshpande and Santner got one wicket each.

Chasing the target, Rachin Ravindra held the fort and played a stunning knock of 61 runs before getting run out. He wasn't supported very well by other batters, but Ravindra Jadeja played a sensational 42-run knock to keep CSK in the game. In the end, CSK needed 17 runs off the final 6 balls to qualify for playoffs and they failed to achieve it. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side were restricted to 191/7, losing the match by 27 runs and failing to qualify for playoffs.

Speaking after the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad said that the total of 200 was gettable but they lost wickets at regular intervals which made things tough for them. Ruturaj Gaikwad said:

"I think it was a good wicket, to be honest, it was spinning and gripping a little bit, but I think 200 on this ground was gettable. We kept losing wickets at regular intervals, it was a matter of one or two hits, sometimes that can happen in a T20 game. Pretty happy with what the target was, to sum up the season, I am pretty happy to have seven wins out of 14 games. Just couldn't get over the line in the last two balls."

Talking about Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2024 journey, Ruturaj Gaikwad said that the injuries troubled them a lot and were the primary reason behind their failure. He elaborated:

"With the kind of injuries we had, missing out on two frontline bowlers, not having Conway at the top of the order as well, I think missing out on three key players made a huge difference. Credit to the CSK staff and everyone who put up a great show for us throughout the season. There were many challenges for us right throughout the first game. Injury to Fizz (Mustafiur), then injruy to Pathirana as well, he came back and then again Pathirana missed out. When you have injuries around, you have to get that balance in the team and pick it (the team) for every game. 

"I think this season sums up well where we had to tinker around with our playing XI, considering the injuries and all the illness (of the players) as well. Happy with the seven wins, couldn't get over the line though. Happy with it. We got 10 from the last 2 balls in our last knockout game last year so this was a similar situation, things didn't go our way (this season) though."

Ruturaj Gaikwad at last said that the personal milestones don't matter to him as the ultimate goal is the victory of the team. Ruturaj Gaikwad said:

"For me, personal milestones don't really matter a lot, after all the ultimate goal is to win. If you are not getting there it's a disappointment. Doesn't matter if you score 100 runs or 500-600 runs in a season. I am disappointed."

Chennai Super Kings Had Crushed Royal Challengers Bengaluru In Previous IPL 2024 Meeting 

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru had played in the opener of the Indian Premier League 2024 on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai. The home team easily crushed the visitors at their fortress and registered a comprehensive 6-wicket victory.

Batting first in the match, the star opening duo of Virat Kohli (21) and Faf du Plessis (35) failed to build together a big partnership and RCB sank further after Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell bagged golden ducks. When the chips were down, veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik (38) came to the forefront and joined forces with Anuj Rawat (48) to take RCB to a good total of 173/6. For CSK, Mustafizur Rahman shined in the innings with his 4-wicket haul while Deepak Chahar got one wicket.

Chasing the target, Rachin Ravindra (37) showcased a batting masterclass and smashed quick runs, but his partner Ruturaj Gaikwad (15) wasn't able to score big. After the dismissal of openers, the middle order of CSK did a great job and they were never really under any kind of pressure. Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja did a brilliant job and completed the run-chase in 18.4 overs.