Chennai Super Kings maintained their unbeaten streak at The Den with a crushing win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday in the ongoing edition of the IPL as skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad took his side home with a match-winning 67-run knock.
CSK limited KKR to 137 as bowlers of distinct nature Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja registered three-wicket hauls, while Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesa Pathirana scalped two and one respectively in a convincing bowling performance before successfully chasing it down.
But, the loudest roar was reserved for ‘Thala’ Dhoni as he walked out to accompany Ruturaj at the crease towards the final touches of the game. With the win all but a formality at a point, Dhoni sent the Chennai crowd into a state of delirium when he decided to enter the playfield, all padded up, ahead of Jadeja.
Gaikwad, who had the best seat in the house to take stock of the World Cup winner’s entry into the fray, reflected on the moment as he revealed he was filled with nostalgia when Dhoni took crease.
“It was very nostalgic for me. Back in the game in which I got my first-ever half-century for CSK, we ended up finishing the innings together and that was the first time I was batting with him,” Gaikwad said.
“So when he walked out to bat today, I immediately had that flashback in my mind. It is good to share the 22 yards with him again,” the 27-year-old added.
