Chennai, March 23: Newly minted Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had a dream start to his leadership tenure, guiding his team to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2024 season opener.

Speaking after the match, Gaikwad downplayed any pressure associated with the captaincy role, crediting his experience and the guidance of former skipper MS Dhoni. "I've always enjoyed captaincy; it's not a burden for me," he said. "Having Mahi bhai (brother) there was a huge help, and everyone in the team contributes naturally. We have clear roles, and that makes things easier. Ideally, one of the top three batsmen could've batted longer, but everyone chipped in well."

Gaikwad praised his bowlers, particularly Mustafizur Rahman, who dismantled RCB's top order with a four-wicket haul. He pinpointed Maxwell and Faf du Plessis' dismissals as the turning point of the match. "We were in control for most of the match, barring a few loose overs," Gaikwad analyzed. "Getting those early wickets really helped us dictate the rest of the innings."

Chasing a target of 174 runs, CSK batsmen like Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Daryl Mitchell all played crucial knocks to secure a convincing victory with 1.2 overs to spare.

The cricketing world witnessed a surprise development on the eve of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. MS Dhoni, the iconic captain who led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles, has stepped down from his leadership role.

In a statement released on Thursday, CSK announced that Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young batting sensation, will be taking over the captaincy for the upcoming season. Gaikwad, a key player for CSK since 2019, has amassed experience in 52 IPL matches.

This isn't Dhoni's first time relinquishing the CSK captaincy. In IPL 2022, the management opted for star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team. However, Jadeja's stint at the helm proved unsuccessful, leading to a mid-season return of Dhoni as captain. Under Dhoni's renewed leadership, CSK went on to secure their fifth IPL championship title in 2023.

Dhoni's decision to step down paves the way for a new chapter in CSK's history. The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits to see how Gaikwad navigates the team under his captaincy, as CSK opens their IPL 2024 campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Chennai, April 4 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Tushar Deshpande admitted that death bowling is not an easy skill but he is trying to learn the tricks of the trade from team's bowling coach Dwayne Bravo in the ongoing IPL 2023, adding that he can't fill the shoes of veteran West Indian all-rounder.

Deshpande, who came in as an Impact Player, replacing Ambati Rayudu in the match against Lucknow Super Giants, conceded 45 runs in his four overs while picking up the wickets two wickets.

However, the pacer didn't have a great start as he conceded 18 runs in his first over, which consisted of 11 deliveries. But, Dhoni trusted him to defend 28 runs in the final over where Deshpande gave away 15 runs and picked the wicket of Ayush Badoni, as CSK won the match by 12 runs.

"Bowling in the death is not an easy skill. I am still learning; we have a great death bowler as our bowling coach DJ Bravo and I am just trying to pick his brains. My role is quite similar to what Bravo has done over the years for CSK. I can't fill his shoes but I am trying to learn slog-overs bowling skills from him," said Tushar in the post-match press conference.

The right arm pacer also said that he is focused on putting in effort and improving his game.

"I feel getting a chance or not is not in my hands, but what is in my hand is putting in the effort and keep on improving myself day by day. I was focusing on that. And I feel personally, when I keep on growing as a bowler, the opportunities will keep coming towards me, I just need to grab it with a cool mind," Deshpande said.

Speaking about the surreal atmosphere at the MA Chidambaram Stadium during the match, he said: "I could not hear anything, it was very loud. Even when I was bowling it was so loud, I was just trying to focus on what I had practiced, the skills I have and trying to stay calm under pressure, but it was very special. I had just heard about the fans here in Chepauk, and today I experienced it, it was very special."

Ahmedabad, April 1 (IANS) Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya said that they are waiting for an update about the extent of Kane Williamson's knee injury.

On Friday, Williamson got himself in a tangle while trying to save a boundary during Titans' opening match in IPL 2023 against the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Williamson had to leave the field, after which Sai Sudharsan was roped in as an Impact Player.

"I just messaged him and I don't know about the update. He has gone for the scans. So, once he comes back after the scans and the doctors checks, then exactly we will be able to know what exactly it is. It is knee for sure, but I don't know how serious it is or how much time it will take," Hardik said in the post-match press conference.

The Titans started their campaign on an impressive note after beating CSK by five wickets. After being asked to chase down 179, they romped home with four balls remaining.

Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan and Alzarri Joseph picked up two wickets apiece for GT.

"I am very lucky to have the kind of bowlers I have. They have all the skills and they can go and pitch the ball at the back of a length and use their pace. At the same point in time, they can go to your heels as well," he stated.

"My job becomes very easy when I have some talented bowlers. I just have to back them and there's a very simple rule within our group that they can bluff the batter, not me. I will always back you till I know what you are doing," Hardik added.