Daryl Mitchell is impressed with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s calm leadership and how well he deals with pressure, now that he’s leading the Chennai Super Kings.
Chennai Super Kings are kicking off a new chapter with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking over as captain, succeeding MS Dhoni. It was quite a surprise when Dhoni handed over the reins to the young player for the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Their first match went well as they triumphed over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, showcasing the prowess of the five-time champions.
Daryl Mitchell, a recent addition to the team through the auction, expressed his satisfaction with Gaikwad’s leadership. He praised Gaikwad for his exceptional batting skills and his ability to lead by example. Mitchell compared Gaikwad’s captaincy style to that of MS Dhoni, highlighting his cool-headedness and his knack for keeping the team composed under pressure.
Gaikwad isn’t a stranger to leadership roles, having captained Maharashtra in domestic cricket. Dhoni’s choice of Gaikwad as his successor comes after an unsuccessful stint with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as CSK’s skipper in 2022.
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The cricketer from New Zealand hasn’t experienced supportive fans like those in Chennai before. He felt glad to see how the crowd cheered for the team in Chennai. “The fans here are amazing. They support us no matter what’s happening on the field. I feel lucky to play in Chennai. It feels good to do well here,” he said.
CSK are looking for a second win in IPL 2024
The team that won last year is playing their second game against Gujarat Titans. They really want to keep their winning streak going in this 17th season. Chennai has been really strong when they play at home, especially because the pitches here support their spin bowlers. So, beating them isn’t going to be a walk in the park for anyone.