Defending champions Chennai Super Kings picked up their second straight win in the 2024 season of the IPL with a thumping 63-run triumph over last year’s finalists Gujarat Titans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
CSK notched up a huge total of 206/6 in 20 overs as Shivam Dube made a quick half-century, while Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad added 46 runs each. Chennai completed the all-round performance as they restricted GT to 143/8
Speaking at the post-match presser CSK’s batting coach Mike Hussey, Mr Cricket himself, lauded the collective effort demonstrated by the team in the winning cause.
With CSK’s win, all seven games played in the nascent season up until now have ended with the home side taking the spoils.
Chennai are slated to play the Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on the road next up, after two home wins in as many games.
With Delhi Capitals playing their ‘home game’ at Vizag this time around, the capital city team might be left yearning for the home support. When quizzed if DC playing away from their actual home could play into the hands of the side from Tamil Nadu, Hussey opined that it
“To be honest, I haven’t thought too much about the Delhi game too much in Vizag,” the 48-year-old began.
“We have to enjoy the game today and enjoy the fact that we did well. We will reflect and review the game as coaches and focus on points to improve,” the southpaw asserted.
“It is definitely going to be a challenge, we are on the road for a couple of games against Delhi and Hyderabad after that.”
“It is always a challenge to play away from home, with the opposition fans and the conditions that we are not as used to. I think it will be a great challenge for the team,” he expressed.
Hussey added that the side from Chennai are playing with confidence and that game at Vizag will be an interesting contest.
“The good thing is we are playing confident cricket and the players know their roles well. We will adapt to the conditions as well as we possibly can,” he said.
“I don’t think Delhi playing away from the city necessarily gives us more of an advantage. We have got two quality teams that will put on a great show. Whoever adapts to the conditions quicker and better will come out on top,” he opined.
Hussey also had words of appreciation for Kiwi opener Ravindra, who has adapted to the new side extremely well with a couple of brilliant performances to get things underway.
“He has had a great start. He has just come here full of energy and he wants to learn so much and wants to make a positive impact on the team and the environment. He is enjoying his time here, and trying to soak up as much knowledge as he can,” he revealed.
“He also feeds off the crowd, and once he got a couple of good shots away he grew in confidence and he believed he can perform on this stage. He has gone out there with a clear mind and an outspoken attitude and has performed well,” Hussey added.
The batsman-par-excellence also lauded Dube, who made an attacking 51 off just 23 deliveries after starting his innings off with two massive sixers.
“Dube was brilliant today. Credit has to be given to him for working on his weaknesses on his own time. Of course, he has worked on his skills even during his time with the team, but he also took the initiative to do his homework on his own accord,” he divulged.
“And I think that attitude will stand him in good stead, not just in the IPL, but even if called up for his country,” Mr Cricket concluded.
Chennai will travel to Vizag to take on Delhi on the 31st of March, while GT head back to Ahmedabad where they host Sunrisers Hyderabad on the last day of the ongoing month.
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