Ruturaj Gaikwad Explains CSK Leadership Setup as “MS Dhoni Still Taking Those Calls

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) achieved a 7-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This win ended KKR’s unbeaten run in the tournament.

CSK’s success was attributed to the stellar performances by Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, and Ravindra Jadeja, along with impressive knocks by Gaikwad and Shivam Dube. Gaikwad, the CSK skipper, played a pivotal role in the victory, remaining unbeaten at 67 and crediting the support of former captain MS Dhoni for helping him finish the match.

He also shouldered the responsibility of anchoring the innings in the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, aiming to shield the younger players from pressure. Gaikwad emphasized the positive attitude within the team and the support he receives from MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming.

He highlighted the autonomy and understanding among the players, stating that everyone is in a great headspace. In a post-match presentation, Gaikwad downplayed concerns about his strike rate, suggesting that it was a matter for experts to discuss, while also humorously referencing the need for luck in T20 cricket.

Reflecting on the match, Gaikwad credited the effective bowling performance, led by Ravindra Jadeja’s outstanding spell of 3/18, that restricted KKR to 137/9 in 20 overs. The CSK captain also recapped the decision to bowl first after winning the toss, and how the bowlers, particularly Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande, executed the plan successfully with their impactful spells.