Gaikwad ‘fantastic’ as captain so far, says Hussey
I know he’s (Ruturaj Gaikwad) got some good support around him but he’s a very smart guy and a very cricket-savvy guy, you know
Chennai, India - The start of Chennai Super Kings’ transition has been smooth with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the team to back-to-back wins in IPL 2024 after MS Dhoni had handed over the captaincy to him. Gaikwad has been rifling through fielding changes, working closely with his predecessor Dhoni on the field and coach Stephen Fleming off it. Michael Hussey, CSK’S batting coach, is pleased with how Gaikwad has managed the team.
“I think he’s been fantastic,” Hussey said after CSK thumped Gujarat Titans by 63 runs at Chepauk on Tuesday. “He’s very well prepared. Him, Flem, MSD - they get together and they talk tactics before the game. But I think the way Rutu changes the bowlers around… the fields are very good. He seems very clear.
“So I think he’s taking to the job brilliantly at the moment; I know he’s got some good support around him but he’s a very smart guy and a very cricketsavvy guy, you know; he understands the game well. He’s got a good team to work with as well, which helps as well, but I think he’s been fantastic so far.”
Gaikwad’s new opening partner Rachin Ravindra has seamlessly slotted into the team, in Devon Conway’s injury-enforced absence.
Ravindra hit 37 off 15 balls against Royal Challengers in the season-opener and followed it up with a similarly punchy 46 off 20 balls against Titans.
“He’s just trying to soak up as much knowledge as he possibly can,” Hussey said of Ravindra. “I think he really feeds off the crowd a bit as well. And yeah, once you’ve got a couple of good shots away earlier, I think his confidence grew and he believed that ‘I can perform on this stage and grow from there.’”