Chennai Super Kings slipped to fifth place in the IPL 2024 points table after their six-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century went in vain as Marcus Stoinis scored an unbeaten 124 to guide LSG to victory. CSK currently have 8 points from 8 matches with a healthy net run rate of 0.415. On the other hand, LSG moved to fourth position with 10 points from 8 matches but their NRR is not better than CSK. Rajasthan Royals top the table with 14 points, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad (both with 10 points).

KL Rahul praised Marcus Stoinis’ match-winning unbeaten 124 off 63 balls against Chennai Super Kings as he felt the home team’s score of 210 for 4 was at least 30 runs higher on that particular Chepauk track. Was.

Stoinis’ special effort overshadowed CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s brilliant century in their IPL match on Tuesday as LSG won by six wickets.

Rahul, who once said that strike-rate is given more importance in T20, admitted that a total like 180, which was considered challenging, may not be enough in the day and age of the ‘impact player’.

“Pretty special (to win), especially when it’s a game like that. It felt as if we were far behind in chasing the target. “It feels special to win,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rahul said that their win against CSK in Lucknow had no context on the completely different deck in Chennai.

“These were different situations. He started well and put pressure on the bowlers. I didn’t think it was a wicket of 210.

“He batted really well. All credit to Stoinis. He was amazing to look at. It was not just power hitting, but smart batting.” Sending Stoinis to No. 3 was a smart move by the LSG management and Rahul feels they had to take a “bold” decision.

“We wanted to be a lot more adventurous as a team. We had three games, some at home and some away where we could not go beyond 170. We needed a power hitter in the top three. This was the thought process.

“I also realize that T20 cricket has changed over the years – 170-180 doesn’t always cut it. You have to work harder in the powerplay.

“The impact player gives you depth and it gives you more freedom. I haven’t played T20 cricket for a long time.” When asked whether Nicholas Pooran could play in the upper order, the captain said that save him and Quinton de Kock as openers, the place for anyone else is to be decided. Not there.

“There is no set plan. Apart from the openers, everyone is ready to go at any time. In the last game, Puran came at three o’clock. “Hopefully I get the fielder award.” CSK captain Gaikwad, whose century went in vain, felt that dew played a big role in the latter half of the match.

“A tough pill to swallow but LSG played a good game in the end. The game was in our hands around the 13th over, but hats off to Stoinis.

“Dew played a huge role in it. This took the spinners away from the game. We could have taken the game deeper. But that’s part of the game, you can’t control the uncontrollable.” Player of the match Stoinis said, “It is not just an effort. It was ups and downs. There were some bowlers whom we targeted, there were some against whom we were cautious. Nikki Puran played a good innings, Hooda too.

“It ebbed and flowed. Inside you are always creating. You are liking some bowlers and not liking others much.”

(With PTI inputs)