Chennai Super Kings failed to impress in any department of the game against Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2024. The hosts quickly thumped the defending champions as Chennai lost the contest by eight wickets for the third time in the 17th season. The batting looked difficult on a slow track, and it required a hard-fought effort from Ravindra Jadeja to post a good total.
Jadeja, who generally bats in the lower order, was promoted to the number four slot. He held one end to allow Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni to break free in the death overs. The southpaw was unbeaten on 57 runs off 40 balls, laced with five fours and 1 six, as Chennai posted 176/6.
Former India and Chennai Super Kings player Ambati Rayudu heaped massive praise on Jadeja, calling them the franchise’s biggest savior.
“He is the only CSK cricketer who always bails out his team from challenging situations. If you change his batting order, he will happily accept it. The way he played against Lucknow was phenomenal. He came out to bat when the team was in trouble, but he kept the scoreboard ticking.
“He was magnificent with the bat and it was his knock that took Chennai to a good total on a pitch that had something for the bowlers. It was not easy to bat but he didn’t give up and stayed till the end. He has been doing this for years. He is the second most important pillar of the franchise after MS Dhoni. He won the title for CSK in 2023. They were looking out of the game before Jadeja hit a six and a four on the last two balls to confirm their fifth title,” Ambati Rayudu said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul (82) and Quinton de Kock (54) took LSG to their fourth win of the season.
