Chennai Super Kings faced their first-ever home loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the IPL started back in 2008. On Friday, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, they couldn’t chase down a target of 197 at Chepauk and ended up losing the match by 50 runs. Gaikwad thought the loss was tough, partly due to CSK’s poor fielding.

“Honestly, I think 170 was a decent score on this pitch, Gaikwad mentioned after the game. “It wasn’t easy to bat. We didn’t field well, and that cost us. When chasing 170, you have a bit more time, but going after 20 runs more means you need to change your approach in the powerplay, and that didn’t happen today.”

He also noted that the pitch got a bit slower and stickier in the second half. “It got a little slower, and the new ball was sticking a bit. I’m not sure why, he added.

RCB’s opening bowlers did an excellent job, dismissing three CSK batsmen, including Gaikwad, during the Powerplay. When asked what CSK could have done differently, Gaikwad said, “Rahul backed his shot, and I backed mine too; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. When you have a score in mind and are chasing an extra 20 runs, you want to stay ahead in your game. We tried but I’m just glad we didn’t lose by a bigger margin.”

He acknowledged that having three world-class spinners is a different situation, and fresh batsmen facing them could change the game. “That didn’t happen this time. We dropped some catches at key moments, and that shifted the momentum until the last over, he noted.

With a long flight to Guwahati for the next match ahead, Gaikwad said the team needs to focus on mental preparation and improving in key areas. “Our fielding needs to get a lot better, and we have to come back stronger in that department, he said.