CSK opener working on being more consistent
A superb innings by Shane Watson broke the strangle-hold that Chennai Super Kings had on the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday evening.
Put in to bat the MS Dhoni-led side were given a good start by Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay with a 83-run openings stand but the visitors couldn’t capitalise on it until a late onslaught by Dwayne Bravo helped them put a respectable total on the board. While defending 141 runs the visitors had the home team precariously placed at four for 45 but, Shane Watson and Staurt Binny took the game away with some exciting batting. However, the loss did not affect the standings of the team in the points table.
While speaking to IPLT20.com, Vijay who notched up his second fifty of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013, lauded Watson’s match winning performance. Reflecting on the loss he added that the opening stand is one of the positives that they would be taking from the game as they head into the business end of the tournament.
Excerpts from the interview:
On CSK continuing to be at the top of the points table despite the loss with one more home game to go
Yes, that is what really matters at the moment. We are comfortably placed in the points table but we don’t want to take anything for granted, so the next game is going to be much more important for us. We are just looking forward to it.
On getting his second half-century of the season and being back amongst runs
This game is like that. On some days it is yours and on some days it is not yours. So obviously you have to be consistent and I am just working on that. The main thing is that I am batting well and that is more important for me than getting runs. I know that if I keep hitting the ball well runs will come automatically.
What it felt like batting at the SMS stadium
There was a zip in the wicket, it was not that easy for shot making and actually you have to give credit to (Shane) Watson for the way he played.
On fancying their chances when RR were four for 45
He (Watson) is a world class player and on his day nobody can stop him. He played well on Sunday. Hopefully the next time we turn up we will put up a better show.
On whether Bravo’s cameo helped make a match of the game
Absolutely, because it was difficult for a batsman to just go in and get three boundaries like that. It was unbelievable. He is a key player in our team. He has done his part.
On the positives that they will take from the game
Obviously our batting! We batted really well at the start. That was a concern early on. Now it is like everybody is getting runs, so that is a good sign for CSK.
On CSK’s superb fielding
We take pride on that aspect of the game. Everybody puts in their hard yards at the training session so it is coming good. Hopefully we can put up a better show in the next game.
