‘Help us take control’: Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals ‘turning point’ after win over RCB in IPL 2024 opener | Cricket News

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is delighted that the quick dismissals of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell were The turning point of their IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mustafizur Rahman (4/29) broke the top order as CSK restricted RCB to 173/6 on a good track. “We were in complete control of the game from the start,” Gaikwad said at the post-match presentation ceremony after CSK’s six-wicket win.

“There were 2-3 overs here and there, but once the spinners and Fiz (Mustafizul) came on, we were in control. Yes, 10-15 runs less would have been good, but they got back Very good,” he said.

For the CSK skipper, Mustafizul sent back the furious Du Plessis, who hit eight fours in 35, and Deepak Chahal bowled an inswinger Getting rid of Maxwell, he proved to be decisive despite a 95-run gap between Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik.

“To get Maxwell and even Fife out, those quick wickets were the turning point. It helped us control the next five or six balls. That was the focus.”

Gaikwad said he has been enjoying his time as captain and with MS Dhoni still around to guide him, it never seemed like a stressful job on the first day in the office. “I’ve been enjoying it. Not feeling any extra pressure from the national side. Not even once did I feel under any pressure. Obviously having Mahi bhai with me.” His counterpart Du Plessis admitted they were 20 points short .

“You have to take the lead in the first six overs. CSK squeezes you with their spinners. We lost too many wickets in the first six overs. We were 15-20 runs behind on the pitch and that didn’t Not as bad as we did in the first 10 rounds of the game.

“We were always a little bit behind trying to get ahead of the game. They were always ahead of the game,” Du Plessis said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)