 "IPL 2024: 'Never felt it as an additional pressure', Ruturaj Gaikwad after getting first win as CSK captain")
New Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad described the moments of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell dismissals as the turning point in their IPL 2024 season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday. RCB, after electing to bat, got off to an aggressive start, reaching 33/0 in just three overs, but then du Plessis and Maxwell were dismissed within the span of an over between the fifth and sixth, to leave the visitors in a spot of bother at 42/3. RCB eventually ended their innings with 173/6 on board but that proved to be a rather comfortable total to chase down , as CSK did so with six wickets to spare.
“I feel that was a big turning point to get Maxwell and Faf out. We got three quick wickets and it helped us control the next overs, that was the real turning point,” Gaikwad said at the post-match press conference.
IPL 2024 | Mustafizur's four-fer, Rachin's solid debut and other top moments from CSK-RCB clash
Rahane was once again asked about his captaincy stint. Rahane took over as CSK skipper from MS Dhoni just a day before the IPL 2024 season got underway, and he revealed that he hardly faced any additional pressure. “I’ve always enjoyed it (captaincy), never felt it as an additional pressure. I had experience on how to handle it, never felt any pressure, obviously had Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai as well,” said Gaikwad.
The 27-year-old acknowledged the natural strokeplayers in the team, and particularly was impressed with Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 27 runs off 19 balls including a couple of sixes.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I think everyone in our squad are natural strokeplayers, I think even Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) is playing really positively. Everyone knows their roles and which bowlers to take on. Role clarity really helps. Two-three things to work on, everyone batted well but I think if someone from the top 3 batted till the 15th over it would’ve been even easier,” added Gaikwad.
CSK will next take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in another marquee game of IPL 2024, in Chennai on Tuesday.
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