Has captaincy been weighing down Ruturaj Gaikwad? The answer was a resounding no on Monday (April 8) at Chepauk, as the Chennai Super Kings captain led his side to victory with an unbeaten 67, also marking his first half-century of the season.
This season has presented a contrast to the previous one, where Gaikwad’s initial performances were strong, with scores of 92, 57, and 40*.
However, Gaikwad believes that the discussion around his form this year is more nuanced, asserting that he never felt “worried” about his performance.
Speaking about his approach, Gaikwad emphasized the importance of understanding the conditions and luck in cricket.
He highlighted instances where good shots found fielders or where he faced challenging deliveries, suggesting that fluctuations are inherent in the game.
Gaikwad also addressed the role of captaincy in his batting, stating that it doesn’t significantly alter his approach.
He expressed his desire to maintain continuity in the team’s culture and approach, indicating that he aims to preserve the successful methods established by CSK.
Reflecting on his conversation with MS Dhoni regarding captaincy, Gaikwad described it as relaxed, revealing Dhoni’s encouragement and advice.
He recalled previous discussions with the coaching staff about leadership roles, indicating his readiness for the responsibility.
Overall, Gaikwad expressed confidence in his ability to lead, drawing from his experiences in domestic cricket and previous interactions with the coaching staff.
He emphasized his intention to stay true to himself and continue the positive trajectory of CSK.
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