Follow UsChennai Super Kings recorded an emphatic 15-run win against Gujarat Titans in the first Qualifier on Tuesday, May 23, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to become the first team to secure their place in the summit clash.
After being asked to bat first, the home team were powered to 172 runs in the first innings courtesy off a solid 87-run stand from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway at the top.
While the southpaw was dismissed for a 34-ball 40, Gaikwad smashed a sublime 60 off 44 deliveries studded with seven boundaries and one six to lay a solid foundation for the Super Kings.
In the post-match press conference, the 26-year-old credited the role of the team management in helping the side bounce back after a dismal last season where they finished ninth.
"It takes a lot of effort to get to the final. It started from last year when we didn't qualify. Obviously, the management got something to work on and there were things which we needed to improve and put an effort on, or add someone," he said.
"This year, right from the first game, I think we were clinical and sure about who is going to play and who is not going to play and what will be our probable 12, 13 or 14 would be."
"I think right from the first game, everyone knew about their roles. When Theekshana and Pathirana came, they were up to the mark from the first game."
"So, I think we were pretty much playing with the same team and just continued the momentum. Hats off to everyone, the support staff and the management as well," he further added.
The right-handed batter scored 564 runs in 14 innings at an average of 43.38 and a strike rate of 146.9, leading Chennai's charge in the season. Gaikwad credited his success to the pre-season camp by the team in March that helped him acclimatise to the conditions in Chennai.
"The camp was very vital because a new surface was being laid over in Chennai. Everyone was not sure how the wicket is going to be or how the wicket is going to play," he said.
"But sometimes when you play on flat tracks, you need not have to think much about your shots and not much about the opposition bowling. Sometimes batsmen play good shots and hats off to him. Even while you're batting, it's about getting into the zone."
"But in Chennai, it's slightly different. You have to alter your game according to the pitch that is given that day. Sometimes, it's slower and sometimes it's good. So, I think it was good to have an idea about how it was going to play."
"It definitely helped me a lot personally and everyone who was there in the camp. Tushar was there from the first day and also someone like Raj and all the youngsters were also there from the first day, so I think it helped," he further added.
Gaikwad also shared insights on his partnership with Conway as the duo amassed 775 runs in 14 innings, the most by an opening pair for the Super Kings.
"I think in the Delhi game, I'd say I had a slight advantage about the shorter boundary being there straight on both ends. So, after six overs, we personally felt 160-170 would be a good score, so just keep on batting until the 10th-11th over and then we thought one of us could just take some risks."
"So, there was a slightly different game there after 10-12 overs. But in Chennai, obviously big boundaries, so you have to find the gaps and manoeuvre some shots, and that's what I feel Conway has been doing well. So that's why he has been successful," he concluded.