The leader of the Chennai Super Kings team, Ruturaj Gaikwad, made a funny comment at the coin toss. This happened in the game against Punjab Kings. It was the 49th match of the Indian Premier League 2024 season.
Most of the times at the tournament this year, the 27-year-old has not had the best of his luck at the toss, having lost it. Ravi Shastri asked Ruturaj Gaikwad about his choice had he won the toss after being put to bat first.
The opening hitter stated that he, too, wanted to field first, similar to PBKS, but his teammates understood they’d have to bat first given his track record at the toss this year.
“Would’ve fielded too but looking at my toss winning percentage, most of my team members were prepared to bat knowing I would lose the toss,” Gaikwad said at the toss.
CSK won their last match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the same site, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, while defending the total. Ruturaj Gaikwad also lost the toss that day, as the opposition’s skipper Pat Cummins sent the side into bat first.
CSK make two changes to their playing XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad said at the toss that the team’s lineup had changed somewhat since speed spearhead Matheesha Pathirana was unable to play due to a niggle.
Tushar Deshpande, who picked up a four-wicket haul (4/27 in three overs), was also rested for the PBKS match owing to health concerns. As a result, Shardul Thakur returned to the XI, while Richard Gleeson made his debut for the Men in Yellow.
“Always tough conditions defending here with dew but margin of win of 60-70 runs was good. We’ll be missing Pathirana (niggle) and Tushar Deshpande (not well) as well. Shardul Thakur and Richard Gleeson will play.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad
CSK has been struggling to win against PBKS for the past two years. They have lost four games in a row against PBKS in 2022 and 2023. The last time CSK beat PBKS was in IPL 2021. Deepak Chahar’s exceptional bowling figures of 4/13 helped CSK secure victory that match.