Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 6 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu criticised Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) strategy in their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, saying the team clung to a flawed plan without intervention by any senior player.
He suggested that taking a brief pause to reassess and guide the bowlers could have improved execution and potentially changed the outcome.
"More than a bad plan, they just stuck to that bad plan. There was nobody to intervene and to just take some time off, take those 20-30 seconds, just make it slightly slower and then guide the bowler with a message. I think they should have slowed it down a little bit," Ambati Rayudu said as per ESPNcricinfo.
Rayudu's comments come after explosive knocks from Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, and skipper Rajat Patidar helped RCB put up a massive 250/3 against five-time champions CSK.
CSK, despite a 25-ball 50 from Sarfaraz Khan, a 43-run knock off 29 balls from Prashant Veer, and a 16-ball 37 cameo from Jamie Overton, fell short by 43 runs as the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK got bundled out for 207/10 in 19.4 overs.
Rayudu noted that while Chennai Super Kings' death bowling needs improvement, particularly in following up after conceding boundaries, their powerplay and middle-over bowling have been better compared to the previous match.
"Their follow-up balls after a boundary or a six aren't great. Generally, as a bowler, you need to be aware that, okay, I have been hit for a six, but it's the next ball that matters. Whenever you see good death bowlers, they always follow up with a very good ball. But their powerplay bowling and middle-overs bowling were much better than what it was last game," Rayudu added. (ANI)