Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hitting coach Michael Hussey has credited the guidance of the legendary MS Dhoni for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s impressive rise as the team’s new skipper in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Gaikwad, who took over captaincy duties from Dhoni this season, has led the five-time IPL champions through an up-and-down season. Hussey believes Gaikwad’s ability to balance leadership responsibilities with his batting has improved significantly, thanks to the mentorship of head coach Stephen Fleming and the presence of former CSK captain Dhoni.
The CSK batting coach further mentioned that Ruturaj has been excellent as captain so far in the ongoing IPL 2024 but admitted that the Maharashtra star can improve further and gain more confidence with every win. Hussey also said that Dhoni has been helping Ruturaj behind the scenes.
Ruturaj Gaikwad thrives under MS Dhoni in IPL 2024: Michael Hussey
Ruturaj recently led CSK to a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) from the front with an unbeaten 42 runs in the crucial match of IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 12. His hopes are alive for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
With 14 points from 13 matches, CSK’s important win over RR propelled the defending champions to the third position in the IPL 2024 points table. They are now one win away from securing a playoff spot. They will next travel to Bengaluru for the final league match against RCB on May 18.
Well, Ruturaj’s impactful leadership and valuable contributions with the bat for CSK earned him praise from fans and cricket experts, and much of the credit goes to Dhoni and Fleming, according to Hussey. He mentioned that the CSK captain has a very good cricket brain and a great sense of the game.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been fantastic as captain: Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey said in the post-match press conference between CSK and RR in Chennai: “I think Ruturaj has been fantastic as captain. He also has a very calm demeanor about how he wants to approach it. Fortunately, he has great minds at his side in the early stages of his career. Obviously, MS Dhoni is still there, helping him behind the scenes. Fleming is there too. He has great minds to exchange ideas with. Ruturaj can only get better and better.”
Hussey added: “I already think he is doing a fantastic job. But the more he does it and the more comfortable he gets being the captain as well, then I think he just grows as a captain. He already has a very good cricket brain and a great sense of the game; We saw it in the way he played today. He knew when to spin and when to speed up. The more he does it, the more he will trust himself. “That was one of Dhoni’s great assets.”
Notably, Ruturaj is currently the second highest run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, with 583 runs in 13 games so far. He is only behind RCB’s batting star Virat Kohli, who leads the table with 661 runs in 13 games in the tournament so far.