IPL 2023: “We Would Like to Play on Any Surface” – Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad on Saturday said that they do not have any problem playing on any pitch at the M A Chidambaram stadium because of the home advantage. However, CSK beat Mumbai Indians by six wickets in a crucial IPL match at Chepauk, hitting the required runs in 17.4 overs after restricting the opposition to a below-par of 139 for 8.

“Even the two games we lost here, they were almost close games, not much of a difference, just one or two hits away. We would like to play on any surface given because of the home advantage,” he told reporters after the match.

While talking about the areas his side needs to improve, Gaikwad stated that the win over Mumbai Indians was due to a “complete team performance.” “Everyone contributed. The bowlers from the beginning were on the mark and the fielders too did a good job,” further added Gaikwad who hit 30 from 16 balls as well.

While speaking about pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who bowled brilliantly to dismantle the Mumbai Indians batters, Ruturaj Gaikwad said, “Thankfully he is our team. In the nets, I’ve faced only 10-12 balls and I was like ‘I don’t want to face him’ because obviously he is tough to pick and tough to judge the length of the ball. First thing is you’re finding where it is coming from and second thing is judging the length and judging the line, so you’re always slightly late when facing him and thankfully he is in our team.”

IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings registered a comfortable win

He was also asked about the work that goes behind the scenes in Chennai Super Kings and the development of players, to which he replied that the work started from the pre-season camp only.

“Behind the scenes, work starts right from the pre-season camp. Not many international cricketers join because of their international duties, so the domestic players are available to join and the work starts from there. Everyone gets an opportunity to express themselves, to discuss with various coaches and the skipper. It does help a lot as a player when there are few people around who feed a lot of confidence and positivity in you,” Ruturaj Gaikwad again shared.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians batter Nehal Wadhera, who scored his maiden IPL fifty, said his team was probably short by 15-20 runs. He also shared his views on facing Pathirana.

“He was bowling quite well. This was the first time I was facing him, obviously he is kind of an unorthodox bowler, he bowls from a different angle which is quite similar to (Sri Lankan legend Lasith) Malinga. You know that there aren’t such bowlers you face every day, it was kind of different. I think from the next match whenever he comes to bowl to me I would have better plans,” the left-handed batter added.

“This is the first time I’m facing a bowler who bowls from such a wide angle. It was kind of difficult to pick. Early on he bowled one bouncer to me, I couldn’t see the ball properly because when he bowled, the angle was even lower (from where I expected). After I faced one or two balls I was fine,” he concluded.