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Me Batting At No.3 Is The Team’s Requirement: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Follow UsRuturaj Gaikwad also spoke about what led to Rahul Tripathi opening the innings for CSK
When everyone were hoping to see Ruturaj Gaikwad walking out to bat alongside Rachin Ravindra, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sprung up a surprise against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23 (Sunday). The five-time IPL winners promoted their new signing, Rahul Tripathi, to open the innings, prompting quite a surprise.
While batting coach Michael Hussey explained the rationale, CSK skipper Gaikwad, too, revealed in the post-match presentation that the team requires him to bat at No.3. Tripathi’s exploits in the powerplay are well-known, with the Maharashtrian batter smashing at a strike rate of 140.7 in T20s.
“Right after I got out [it might have been tense]. There are matches that get close sometimes, but happy to be on the winning side. Me batting at No. 3 is the requirement for the team, gives our new team balance and Rahul Tripathi can be aggressive at the top while I can play both sides of the game,” Gaikwad said in the post-match presentation.
It was also the first time in many years that the Chepauk surface had returned to its original version, with plenty of support for spinners. Between Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad, CSK picked up five wickets, which delighted Gaikwad, calling the left-arm wrist spinner an ‘X-factor’.
“Our spinners were right on the mark, we were really excited about them bowling in tandem at Chepauk after the auction. Khaleel has been doing well for the last 2-3 years, he's experienced. Noor is an X-factor and good to have him in the team. Dhoni is still the same, he's fitter this year and hitting more sixes in the nets this year,” he said.
The Afghani wrist spinner was named Player of the Match, finishing with figures of 4/18. He insisted that MI batters didn't pick his bowling.
"Feels great to play around the world but special to play for CSK. Sometimes I thought they weren't picking me but I was focusing on my bowling. My favourite was Surya's wicket, Mahi bhai's stumping was so electric. It's great to have Mahi bhai behind the stumps.
CSK next play at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28 (Friday).
