Gaikwad admits tough conditions for new batters in CSK win 2026

CSK restricted LSG to 200s after a blazing powerplay but nearly chased 200 under tricky conditions.

LSG's explosive start LSG raced to 91 runs for the loss of one wicket in the powerplay, with Inglis racing to a fifty off just 17 deliveries. His strokeplay left the fielders helpless, making it hard to anticipate or adjust field placements. It felt as though the total could easily reach 240 or 250, yet the side managed to finish just over 200, which Gaikwad later called a tremendous effort. ## CSK's crucial breakthroughs CSK turned the game around thanks to Jamie Overton, who accounted for Inglis and Rishabh Pant in the tenth over. Inglis departed for 85 off 33 balls, slowing LSG's momentum. Overton wrapped up his spell with three wickets for 36 runs. ## Overton's tactical spell Overton credited his approach to sticking to basics, saying, "I think it was just doing what I've been doing well." He aimed to keep the ball up to the stumps to force batters into attacking shots. "Nice to get a sort of a strangle from a leg-side one, and then a nice one to get Rishabh out… To get Josh out at that point was crucial." ## Gaikwad on bowling changes Gaikwad explained the decision to bring Overton into the attack early, emphasizing the need to balance attack and containment. "How you can attack from one end, how you can be defensive from one end, so we thought let's get our best bowlers for the next three or four overs and see how it goes after that. Noor [Ahmad] and Jamie bowled really well." He added that once the ball grew older, scoring became tougher for fresh batters. ## CSK's powerplay dominance CSK started their chase aggressively, reaching 97 runs for one wicket in the first six overs, largely thanks to Urvil Patel's explosive fifty in just 13 balls. After Urvil's dismissal, newcomers struggled to maintain the required pace. They needed 30 runs in the last three overs and managed to cross the line with big hits from Prashant Veer and back-to-back sixes from Shivam Dube in the final over. ## Gaikwad on tough pitch Gaikwad reflected on the conditions, noting the challenge for new batters chasing 200. "Chasing 200, when you start the innings, you know it will always go to the 18th or the 19th or the 20th over. So, yes, we started off really well in the powerplay, but it was a bit tacky for a new batter to just go in and play the shots." ## CSK's standings after win With this victory, CSK secured their fifth spot in the standings with 12 points after 11 matches. Gaikwad stressed the importance of simplicity, stating, "It's still three games to go. But I think it is just about keeping it simple. Keeping it simple as long as possible. I know it's easy to say at times, when you are under pressure or under the pump. But that's a mantra and we are going to stick to it."