'I love doing different jobs for the team and it's good fun' - Daryl Mitchell opens up on new role at CSK

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell is representing the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024. After being picked up by CSK for a whopping INR 14 crore in the auction, Mitchell has taken the middle-order batting role, a departure from his usual top-order responsibilities.

Mitchell was one of the most sought-after players in the IPL auction following his stellar performances for New Zealand, especially in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India where he scored 552 runs. CSK won the bidding war to secure his services, eyeing his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. So far in IPL 2024, the 32-year-old has scores of 22 and 24* while also picking up 1/18 against Gujarat Titans.

Speaking ahead of CSK's clash against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam, Mitchell shared his thoughts on adapting to his new role. "And I love competing. That's what drives me, getting stuck into whatever job I have got to do to help us win games of cricket. And, here at CSK, it's doing that sort of No.4 or No.5 role and managing the middle and getting us into positions to allow the big boys at the end to try and launch it. So I love doing different jobs for the team and it's good fun," Mitchell told India Today.

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Each innings is always different: Daryl Mitchell

Mitchell highlighted the versatility required in the middle order, saying, "Yeah, for me, I guess that's the cool thing about batting in the middle order is never the same. Each innings is always different. That's something I pride myself on is that I can adapt to different situations and work out ways to keep trying to extend partnerships and, and also put pressure back on the bowlers. It was cool to see the boys at the top make the most of that new ball and set the platform," Daryl added.

The Kiwi star credited his late international debut for allowing him to develop his skills and mindset at the domestic level. "Look for me firstly to play international cricket at a later age, it's a blessing that it allowed me to learn my game at the domestic level for some time and work out not only the cricketer that I want to be but also the sort of person I want to be off the field as well. And I think that's again a real blessing to be able to do that," Daryl Mitchell concluded.

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The five-time champions have started the season the way they would have liked, with two back-to-back wins at home, CSK will look to take the same confidence in their next fixtures. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will play two away games before flying back to Chennai to face Kolkata Knight Riders on 8th April.