IPL 2024 : Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ‘Mental’ Battle With The Coin Toss in IPL 2024
For CSK and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the coin toss has been the biggest horror story this season. The CSK skipper, for the umpteenth time, lost the toss against the Punjab Kings at Chepauk. Ruturaj has now lost 9 out of 10 tosses so far in the IPL 2024. Announcing Gaikwad as M.S. Dhoni’s successor at CSK has worked effectively so far; however, in terms of winning tosses, it hasn’t worked for the franchise or the captain as the luck hasn’t been in their favor. After his poor toss record in IPL 2024, Ruturaj revealed that losing tosses is putting him under pressure. The CSK skipper also admitted that he has been practicing flipping the coin during the team practice sessions. “I’ve practiced the tosses (during the practice sessions); it’s not going well in the match; I’m not sure what to do. To be truthful, I’m under pressure when I go to the middle (for the toss),” Ruturaj Gaikwad had said. The importance of tossing in cricket keeps on increasing as the format gets shorter. In T20s, where the game changes within a blink of an eye, it’s very crucial for the teams to be at least 5 steps ahead of the opposition. And by start, we mean right from the toss. Winning tosses in T20 cricket holds significant importance as it can directly influence the outcome of the match. The winner of the toss, as it has been seen in the IPL 2024 so far, gains the advantage of choosing whether to bat or bowl first, a decision that can be pivotal in shaping the game’s dynamics. In T20 cricket, where matches are fast-paced and every ball counts, setting a target or chasing one down can greatly affect the team’s strategy. Opting to bat first allows a team to set a competitive total, putting pressure on the opposition to match or surpass it. Conversely, choosing to bowl first provides the opportunity to exploit early pitch conditions and restrict the opponent’s scoring, placing them on the back foot from the start. Moreover, the dew factor in evening matches can make bowling second more challenging, further emphasizing the significance of winning the toss. Hence, winning the toss in T20 cricket offers teams the chance to dictate the course of the game, making it a crucial aspect of their overall strategy. Is Ruturaj Gaikwad disturbed by the coin-toss results?Losing tosses seems to have affected Ruturaj Gaikwad mentally. Losing the toss and being forced into a less favorable position from the outset seems to have created a psychological challenge for him. Captains might feel pressured to adapt their strategies quickly to compensate for the disadvantage, which could affect their decision-making under pressure during the game. Additionally, if the toss-winning team goes on to win the match convincingly, the captain who lost the toss might face scrutiny or criticism for not capitalizing on the opportunity to gain an early advantage. However, seasoned captains often emphasize the need to stay focused and resilient regardless of the toss outcome, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and mental strength in high-pressure situations. Never had we imagined that a toss could affect a captain this badly. Gaikwad has been brilliant this season with his leadership and also with the bat. Currently, he sits at the top of the highest run-getters charts with the orange cap on his head, scoring 509 runs in the 10 games he has played so far. However, the question remains: whether luck will favor Ruturaj Gaikwad and CSK while winning tosses in the next 4 games they play, or will he be left with no choice when it comes to electing to bat or field? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Soaring High Amidst Challenging Chepauk Heat
One could see it: Ruturaj Gaikwad was running out of energy after batting for nearly 20 overs in the energy-sapping conditions at Chepauk on Sunday. He was gasping for breath on his haunches, barely able to stand on his two feet, let alone bat, towards the end of the CSK innings. A tired shot in the final over resulted in Ruutraj perishing for 98 runs, but not before taking his team to a competitive total against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The entire CSK dugout was on its feet, saluting what was truly a masterclass from Ruturaj. It was not just about the number of runs he scored, but the way he weathered the challenging Chepauk heat was commendable. Do not forget that he also batted for the complete 20 overs against the Lucknow Super Giants at the same venue and then captained the side for the entire duration. “These conditions are too hot and humid. Last game I was out fielding for 20 overs and 19 overs today. I was never even thinking about the hundred. I was just trying to make sure we get to 220 or whatever extra runs possible. Even in the last game I wasn’t thinking about the hundred. I was upset I missed a few shots,” Ruturaj said at the end of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad Why batting at Chepauk is a challenge? The hot and humid conditions made life tough for Ruturaj, but he managed to weather the storm thanks to his supreme fitness levels. What makes batting so tough in Chennai is not the pitch, but first the heat, and then losing out on energy makes it extremely tough for batters to bat for longer periods. Being a coastal city adds more humidity to the air, and thus the batters lose out on energy while batting for longer periods. Ruturaj, being only 27, was able to recover well in time, potentially filling in a lot of fluids inside his system, and keeping himself hydrated helped him quite a lot. Chennai Super Kings have entered a new era, with Ruturaj leading the side post-MS Dhoni. He is also leading them from the front, having scored 447 runs in nine matches, and is in the race to win the Orange Cap for the second time in his career. He has taken over the CSK baton from MS Dhoni and is now making a statement both with the bat and his fitness levels. Ruturaj is raising the bar for the rest, and if Chennai needs to do well and defend its IPL crown, they will need every ounce of sweat and blood from their captain to emerge victorious for the record sixth time.
