Everything went to plan for CSK in yesterday’s game against RCB: MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scripted a resounding victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first of the two IPL matches yesterday. Skipper MS Dhoni termed it as one of their perfect games this season, as his side felt more suited to the slow and low nature of the pitch yesterday.

Assessing the playing conditions yesterday, Dhoni said in the post-match presentation, “This was one of the perfect games. Everything went to plan. The execution was there and we were able to pick wickets regularly to restrict them to a total that’s slightly below par on a wicket like this. A lot depends on how the players are performing and how the wicket is. This was definitely on the slower side and the spinners have done a very good job.”

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Faf du Plessis, who provided the best possible start to the chase of 146 for CSK alongwith Ruturaj Gaikwad, complimented the bowlers for keeping RCB down to 145. He said in the post-match press conference, “Obviously playing in the day you could see that the wicket was a little bit slower. The balance of our side, slowish conditions, brings the best out of the resources we have in our team. We played three really good spinners today and they bowled really well against a very strong RCB batting line up. To restrict them to a score we did was a real good effort from our bowlers.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates his fifty

“Josh hurt his ankle in the previous game, so it was a little more of a forced change to bring in Santner today. He is a quality international spinner, he knows what he’s doing and is very accurate. Him, Imran and Jadeja are three international spinners, but also at the end, the pacers were really good. Our margin for error was a little more on a slow wicket, Deepak and the guys bowled well to restrict them to a modest total.”

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RCB director of Cricket, Mike Hesson also shared his two cents on the game. He said, “It was a tough wicket to come out and hit from ball one. Two of the best in the business – Kohli and AB – batted nicely but it was really difficult to put the foot down if the bowlers bowled the right areas.

“It’s an off day. We have been pretty consistent with the ball throughout and I don’t think we adapted to conditions as we have done. Obviously the ball swung in Abu Dhabi and it was a different skill set required today, we had to be patient, bowl top of off and bowl some cutters.”