Chennai Super Kings (AP Photo)

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu believe that Chennai Super Kings There was a lack of calm and experienced players on the field during Friday’s heavy seven-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants, especially when young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj was under constant attack. Michelle Marsh And nicholas puran. CSK’s bowling attack had no answer as LSG chased down the target of 188 runs in just 16.4 overs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The night turned out to be particularly difficult for Kamboj, who was hit for four consecutive sixes in an over by Mitchell Marsh, before Nicholas Pooran repeated the same attack later in the innings. The young fast bowler ultimately finished with figures of 0/63 in 2.4 overs. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s timeout show after the match, Rayudu said that CSK lacked senior players on the field who could step up and help Kamboj regain composure during a brutal spell. Rayudu said, “I think that CSK team, when you see them on the field, there are not a lot of smart minds or experienced players, players who can control the game, who can go and pat it down and say, ‘Boss, just wait, wait for ten seconds, tie your laces.’ The former CSK batsman felt that someone was needed to break the rhythm of Kamboj’s negative thoughts when the attack was unfolding. Rayudu said wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was too far away from the action to make an immediate impact at that pressure moment. “Maybe ask them, ‘Do you think the slower ball can work? Do you think we can bowl yorkers now?’ Just change his train of thought. Don’t let him get lost in that moment,” he said. Despite the nightmare, Rayudu defended the youngster and insisted that Kamboj had faced two batsmen playing at an exceptional level. “This guy has been bowling so well all season that you are bound to have a bad day. It’s like getting a duck or a golden duck. If you look at the balls he bowled, except maybe the last ball down the leg side of that over, most of them were good balls. It was unbelievable hitting,” he said. Chasing the target, Marsh played an explosive inning of 90 runs in just 38 balls, which included seven sixes and nine fours. The Australian tore apart the CSK attack from the start and completed his half-century in just 21 balls. His most destructive phase came in the fifth over when he hit four consecutive sixes and a four off Kamboj, taking 28 runs from the over, as LSG reached 67/0 after five overs. Marsh and Josh Inglis put on a massive opening partnership of 135 which effectively sealed the contest inside the powerplay, with LSG reaching 86/0 after six overs and 124/0 after 10 overs. Although CSK pulled things back briefly by taking the wickets of Inglis and Marsh on consecutive balls, Pooran ensured there was no collapse. With 24 runs required from the last four overs, the left-hander launched another ferocious attack on Kamboj, hitting four consecutive sixes to complete the chase brilliantly. Earlier, CSK scored 187/5 after useful contributions from Karthik Sharma, who scored 71 runs, and Shivam Dubey, who remained unbeaten on 32 runs. However, the total proved a far cry from LSG’s unbeatable batting performance. After this defeat, Chennai Super Kings are at sixth position in the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points from 12 matches, having won and lost six matches each.