IPL 2024: CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad Commits to Upholding Team Culture After Win Against Kolkata

Ruturaj Gaekwad said that he wants to maintain the culture in CSK which has been created by MS Dhoni after taking charge of the team in 2008. Chennai snapped their 2-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday, April 8. 2024 after defeating Kolkata by 7 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Gaikwad started his journey as CSK captain with back-to-back wins against Bengaluru and Gujarat. But defeats against Delhi and Hyderabad pushed them back a bit. Gaikwad’s own form with the bat was also not good. However, Chennai responded strongly as they recorded their third consecutive win at Chepauk.

‘I’m enjoying myself’
“I don’t want to be a certain type of character. I like to flow as things flow… Basically continue the culture of CSK. I feel like that. The success we’ve had, the things we’re doing, I’m one of them. But don’t want to change,” Gaikwad said in the post-match press conference. “I just want to come there, take my own decisions and give as much freedom as possible because that’s what has been happening since I joined CSK. Nothing really changes and I am enjoying myself,” said Gaekwad.

‘I’ll Always Be Me’
Gaikwad also said that he is more focused on maintaining a positive culture in CSK rather than trying to fill the huge shoes of MS Dhoni.

“To be honest, not really a deep conversation, I feel [around the captaincy with Dhoni]. It was in a very cold state. I will say only one conversation. We were practicing and he came and told me all this. Obviously everyone So, other people outside, they think they have big shoes to fill but I think I will always be myself and I want to continue the culture that is going on,” added Gaekwad.

Asked to chase 138, the Super Kings headed home with 14 balls to spare in their innings. Although it was Ravindra Jadeja, who won the player of the match award with 3 wickets, Gaekwad also impressed everyone with his innings of 67 off 58 balls.