Dharamsala, May 5: Chennai Super Kings’ all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja admitted that they fell short by 15-20 runs but lauded their disciplined bowling show in securing a convincing 28-run over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League here on Sunday.
Defending 167 for nine, the five-time champions restricted Punjab Kings to 139/9 with Jadeja claiming a match-winning 3/20, while Tushar Deshpande (2/35) and impact sub Simarjeet Singh (2/16) also featured among wickets.Mitchell Santner, who was playing his first match of the season, was also brilliant during his tidy 1/10 from three overs.“We thought we were 15-20 runs short but we did not bowl loose balls in the power play and in the middle overs,” Jadeja said at the post-match presentation.“The fast bowlers bowled well in the power play. Tushar got two important wickets and then Mitch and me did the job in the middle overs.” Jadeja struck a crucial 26-ball 43 and the knock came at a time when PBKS were chipping away with regular wickets.Jadeja said it was tricky batting in the middle overs.
“It was a day game, so the wicket was slow. As usual, it was expected because it was so hot.“It (the pitch) always seems flat in the power play. But when the ball gets old, it does not always come on. When playing at a new venue, you don’t know how much it will turn or stop.
“My role as a batter is to build partnerships and then play the big shots towards the end. Sometimes, when we lose wickets in the power play, we do not get momentum,” said Jadeja. (PTI)
