Uthappa praises Chennai Super Kings fielding
Pune Warriors batsman Robin Uthappa lauded the effort of the Chennai Super KIngs fielders which made the target of 143 look even bigger.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: April 26, 2011 08:39 AM IST
Pune Warriors batsman Robin Uthappa lauded the effort of the Chennai Super KIngs fielders which made the target of 143 look even bigger.
"CSK fielded out of their skin and credit must be given to them. When we batted, we lost two wickets - Pandey and myself in quick succession. That pushed us back pretty badly. We needed to build a partnership," rued the burly Karnataka batsman.
"Chennai Super Kings played exceedingly well and the 20 25 runs in the end overs was crucial for us. We batted badly but bowled and fielded well," he said.
Uthappa defended Yuvraj Singh's decision to field first. "Taking into consideration that we won matches chasing and coming from back-to-back defeats, we wanted to stay in that zone. That was the reason why we put them in," he reasoned.
Uthappa feels that the decision to send him at No. 4 was based on the fact that Oune team had four left-handers and their opposition had three off-break bowlers in their ranks.
"Last couple of games, I was batting at No 4. They just send me just past the Powerplay and they had three off-spinners and we had four left handers in our side."
"Unfortunately, we lost the game today but nothing is lost and we will be winning the next matches."
Uthappa admitted that there is room for improvement in all three departments of the game. "We want to up our game in all three departments. Our batsmen have their task cut out. We still have nine matches to go. We will definitely peak at the right time," the dashing batsman said.
Questioned whether humidity was a factor, "New stadium does not make us feel that way. There is a lot more breeze blowing."
Uthappa didn't rule out the fatigue factor for senior Indian players as they are coming back from World Cup. He termed the Chepauk pitch as "difficult for batting."
The Warriors batsman feels that CSK have done thorough homework of the conditions which makes them a formidable side at home.