CSK vs GT: “Batting First Wasn't A Very Good Idea” - MS Dhoni After CSK’s 7-Wicket Loss To GT

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni admitted that batting first after winning the toss was not a good idea, after his team lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 62^nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) on May 15, 2022, in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

MS Dhoni included N Jagadeesan, Prashant Solanki, Mitchell Santner, and Matheesha Pathirana in place of Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Dwayne Bravo, and Maheesh Theekshana. Gujarat Titans went in unchanged.

The CSK batters couldn’t get going despite getting in. While Devon Conway was out for 5, Ruturaj Gaikwad made 53 in 49 balls, Moeen Ali made 21 in 17 balls and N Jagadeesan remained unbeaten on 39 in 33 balls as the four-time champions managed to put 133/5 in 20 overs.

Mohammad Shami for GT was the best bowler with 2/19 in his 4 overs.

We Will Look To Give People Chances: MS Dhoni While Praising Matheesha Pathirana

In reply, Gujarat Titans’ chase was shouldered by Wriddhiman Saha who made 67* in 57 balls with 1 six and 8 fours to his name. Matthew Wade made 20, Shubman Gill scored 18, while David Miller made 18* as GT reached the target in the last over with 7 wickets in hand.

Sri Lanka’s young sensation Matheesha Pathirana had an excellent debut as he picked a wicket on his first ball in the Indian Premier League, trapping Shubman Gill LBW, and then took a wicket of GT captain Hardik Pandya on the first ball of his second over.

MS Dhoni, after the match, praised Pathirana, while admitting that batting first after winning the toss was not a good idea.

Her said: “Batting first wasn’t a very good idea. It was tough to hit the faster bowlers in the first half, spinners-wise it was similar. Sai bowled well. We could have pushed Shivam up but would have beaten the purpose of having Jaggi in the side. Had it been earlier in the tournament, it would have been a tactical move to have Shivam in. With Pathirana, the margin of error is slim. He’s got a good slower one and it will be tough to hit him if he bowls consistent pace. We will look to give people chances. We are trying to feature a good XI and will look to do that in the coming games also.”

With his win, GT confirmed a top-two finish for themselves in the league stage as they now have 20 points.

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