'That can obviously cause some damage' - Stephen Fleming reveals Ambati Rayudu battled injury during stellar knock against PBKS

Veteran batter Ambati Rayudu played a blinder on Monday (April 25) which, unfortunately for Chennai Super Kings, went in vain. Chasing 188 against Punjab Kings, the defending champions suffered a top-order collapse as PBKS tightened their grip over the contest. However, Rayudu played a stellar knock and brought his side right back in the hunt. While the 36-year-old was watchful at start, he shifted gears after getting his feet settled.

He ended up scoring 78 off just 39 deliveries, earning praises from several fans and experts. Following the conclusion of the game, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Rayudu got injured while fielding in the first innings and was in pain while batting. Notably, Rayudu was seen panting heavily at the end of his innings, which many reckoned was due to lack of fitness.

Ambati Rayudu’s Hand Was Bruising: Stephen Fleming

However, the real reason was revealed by Fleming after CSK’s 11-run defeat. “The first check was around the break and his hand was bruising. It was just a case of icing that and getting that down and I think a little padding around the glove. It was the same hand that was broken sometime back, so it’s still pretty tender and a knock like that can obviously cause some damage,” revealed Fleming.

Meanwhile, CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja was mighty impressed with Rayud’s efforts. He also reckoned CSK would have crossed had the other players contributed well. “He [Rayudu] was batting brilliantly, throughout but as I said earlier, if we could’ve restricted them to under 175 it would’ve been good. We are not getting good starts in the first 6 overs, that’s where we are lacking and hopefully, we will come back stronger,” said Jadeja.

Meanwhile, CSK are now in all sorts of trouble, having won just two of their eight games so far in IPL 2022. In order to qualify for the playoffs, the four-time champions now need to win all their remaining six games, which will take some beating. They take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 1.

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