IPL 2023: Dhoni said after the defeat – Royals allowed more runs than competitive score
Jaipur. Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after their 32-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League here on Thursday that his team allowed the opposition to score more runs than a competitive score. Chasing Royals’ target of 203 runs, Shivam Dubey (52 runs in 33 balls, two fours, four sixes) in front of the spin of Jampa (three wickets for 22 runs) and Ashwin (two wickets for 35 runs) of Superkings. Despite a fine innings of half-century and Ruturaj Gaikwad (47), could only score 170 runs for six wickets. The Royals had earlier scored half-centuries from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (77 off 43 balls, eight fours, four sixes) and Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15 balls, three fours, two sixes) and Devdutt Padikkal (23 not out off 13 balls, four sixes) Fours) scored 202 runs for five wickets with a 48-run partnership in 20 balls for the fifth wicket.
Dhoni said after the match, “He scored more than the competitive score. We let them score too many runs in the first six overs. At the same time, the wicket was excellent to bat on. The bowlers bowled well in the middle overs but hit too many boundaries with the edge of the bat, it happened at least five or six times and it had an effect. Couldn’t get off to a good start in the powerplay.” Mathisa Pathirana went for 48 runs in four overs but Dhoni said he didn’t bowl badly. Dhoni said, “I think Pathirana’s bowling was good, he did not bowl badly, I think the scoreboard does not reflect how well he bowled.”
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Praising Royals opener Yashasvi, Dhoni said, “Yashasvi batted really well, it was important to target the bowlers and take risks. In the end (Dhruv) Jurel batted well but I think the first six overs took the match away from us.” Referring to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Dhoni said, “It’s a very special place, my home in Visakhapatnam. The first ODI century got me 10 matches but the 183 I scored here got me another year. It was great to be back here.
