IPL 2020: “He’s one of the most talented players around,” MS Dhoni lauds Ruturaj Gaikwad after match-winning knock against KKR


IPL 2020: “He’s one of the most talented players around,” MS Dhoni lauds Ruturaj Gaikwad after match-winning knock against KKR
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) registered a brilliant nail-biting victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in match 49 of IPL 2020. Ravindra Jadeja smashed consecutive sixes in the 20th over to clinch the game for his side. Youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad played a sensible knock of 72 runs off 53 deliveries. The 23-year old also won the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

CSK skipper MS Dhoni appreciated Gaikwad for his match-winning performance against Kolkata. He went on to mention him as one of the most talented players around and said that this would be a memorable season for him.

“We’d seen him in the nets, but then he turned COVID positive, and it took him 20 days to get back. Unfortunate, but he’ll remember this season,” said Dhoni in the post-match presentation ceremony.

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“He’s one of the most talented players around. What makes it difficult is he’s not somebody who speaks a lot. So sometimes it becomes difficult for the management to gauge a player. Once he started going in the innings, you could see that he was hitting the ball the way he wanted.

“When we made him play the first game, he got out after stepping out. It was difficult to tell whether it was the pressure that made him step out or whether that’s his natural game. One ball isn’t enough,” Dhoni said.

It’s necessary to be relevant: Dhoni

MS Dhoni CSK
CSK skipper MS Dhoni

Dhoni admitted that CSK is not in contention for making it to the playoffs but, they will take away several positives from this game.

“We haven’t performed in the tournament but, we felt it’s important to be relevant. That’s what we kept telling the guys. We said you prepare how you want to, but three to three-and-a-half hours during the match, give your best. We are not in the position to qualify (for the playoffs), but there are plenty of takeaways,” he concluded.

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