Super Kings rise above tide at Chepauk

Battling multiple issues at a time, Gaikwad-led side rallies to come up with inspired show in their last home game

-  KALYANI MANGALE

CHENNAI Super Kings had plenty stacked against them before the fixture against Rajasthan Royals on a Sunday afternoon. The stakes were way too high. After a topsy-turvy season, where they had won six matches and lost as many, their final league game at their home ground, "Fortress Chepauk," was a must-win. They needed the two points to keep their hopes of making it to the playoffs for the second time in a row and stay alive. There were no oth- | er options.

If the pressure of a must-win game is not enough, the Super Kings had the shortest turnaround after their away match against Gujarat Titans. The team landed in Chennai on Saturday evening and had no opportunity to practice. On top of that, this was their first afternoon game of the season. With most of their firstchoice players ruled out either due to national duties or injury concerns, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had to rally his troops. If that wasn't enough, Rajasthan's decision to bat first meant, Chennai had to field in the scorching heat. The task was not going to be easy.