Chennai Super Kings maintained their unbeaten streak at The Den with a crushing win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday in the ongoing edition of the IPL as skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad took his side home with a match-winning 67-run knock.
CSK limited KKR to 137 as bowlers of distinct nature Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja registered three-wicket hauls, while Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesa Pathirana scalped two and one respectively in a convincing bowling performance before successfully chasing it down.
But, the loudest roar was reserved for ‘Thala’ Dhoni as he walked out to accompany Ruturaj at the crease towards the final touches of the game. With the win all but a formality at a point, Dhoni sent the Chennai crowd into a state of delirium when he decided to enter the playfield, all padded up, ahead of Jadeja.
Gaikwad, who had the best seat in the house to take stock of the World Cup winner’s entry into the fray, reflected on the moment as he revealed he was filled with nostalgia when Dhoni took crease.
Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024
“It was very nostalgic for me. Back in the game in which I got my first-ever half-century for CSK, we ended up finishing the innings together and that was the first time I was batting with him,” Gaikwad said.
“So when he walked out to bat today, I immediately had that flashback in my mind. It is good to share the 22 yards with him again,” the 27-year-old added.
Gaikwad also touched upon the manner in which the former skipper had been preparing him for the hottest seat in franchise cricket and the nature through which he eased him into the role of the Chennai side’s captain.
‘Felt Spin from Both Ends Would be Tougher for Batsmen’, Reveals CSK Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad After Middle Overs Masterclass in Win Over KKR
“I remember in 2022, Dhoni told me that I might get a chance to lead. Not next year, but eventually. So it did not come as a surprise to me,” the opener divulged.
The youngster cut a confident frame as he expressed confidence in himself and his abilities to lead the side moving forward, and spoke about his exchanges with head coach Stephen Fleming. Gaikwad remained firm in his belief in the ratified CSK culture which has made Chennai oh so very successful.
“I know how to control the game, I know how the game progresses. Which changes to bring in when, as I was captaining my state team as well,” the opener said.
“Even last year, Fleming and I used to discuss after every game about what I felt were the changes that had to be made during the run time of every game,” he added.
“In terms of captaincy, I don’t want to be a specific kind of character. I like to go with the flow of things and hold up the culture of CSK.”
The young skipper concluded by further emphasizing the essence of freedom, which has come to stand as an archetypal trait associated with the club and has yielded glowing results.
“The success we have had and the things we have been doing, I do not want to change even a little bit. I just want to turn up and take my own decisions and provide as much freedom as possible because that is what has been happening ever since I joined CSK,” Gaikwad signed off.
Comments
0 comment