Chennai Super Kings’ batsman, Ruturaj Gaikwad has recently opened up on how his team has managed to reach the final of the tournament.
Apparently, the Yellow Army was very clinical throughout the tournament and put up some splendid batting displays.
Furthermore, Gaikwad has also expressed his heartfelt thanks to the team management for supporting and motivating the players throughout the tournament.
This year, every player in the CSK lineup had pretty well-defined roles and they played accordingly.
Before the IPL, CSK held a camp for its players in Chennai where MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ambati Rayudu arrived first.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar completed their rehab at the NCA in Bengaluru before joining their team at Chepauk.
Said Gaikwad at the post-match press conference,
Everyone was not sure how the wicket is going to be or how the wicket is going to play. But sometimes when you play on flat tracks, you need not have to think much about your shots and not much about the opposition bowling, sometimes batsmen play good shots, and hats off to him. Even while you’re batting, it’s about getting into the zone.
Gaikwad says that CSK’s preparations started off last year
Additionally, Gaikwad has also stated that after failing to qualify for the playoffs last year, Chennai Super Kings started their preparations early for this season.
Adding further, he says,
It started from last year when we didn’t qualify for playoffs. Obviously, the management got something to work on and there were things that we needed to improve and put an effort on, or add someone. This year, right from the first game, I think we were clinical and sure about who is going to play and what will be our probable 12, 13 or 15.
The last time CSK reached the IPL final was in 2021 wherein they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders to secure their 4th title in Dubai.
This year, they will look to do the same against the winner of the 2nd qualifier and win their 5th title of the tournament.
Last year was a horrendous one for CSK as they finished 9th in the points table and couldn’t qualify for the playoffs.
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