'It started from last year when we didn't qualify for playoffs' - Ruturaj Gaikwad opens up on CSK roaring back to form in IPL 2023

The four-time champions Chennai Super Kings defeated the defending champions Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at Chepauk to reach IPL 2023 final. After the game, CSK opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed his gratitude towards the team management and praised them for making the players feel secure and motivated, as well as clearly outlining their roles, which helped to achieve a record of the 10th IPL final on Tuesday.

Several CSK players, including Gaikwad, had never played an IPL game in Chennai before this season. The camp commenced on March 3, with skipper MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ambati Rayudu among the first players to arrive. After completing their rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Gaikwad, and Deepak Chahar joined the squad late.

“Everyone was not sure how the wicket is going to be or how the wicket is going to play. 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," said Gaikwad while delivering his assessment in the post-match press conference as quoted by NDTV.

It started last year when we didn't qualify for playoffs: Ruturaj Gaikwad

"It started from last year when we didn't qualify for playoffs. Obviously, the management got something to work on and there were things that we needed to improve and put an effort on, or add someone. 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 15," he added.

MS Dhoni's side last reached the final in the 2021 season, when they earned their fourth trophy after upsetting Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai. CSK's return to the summit clash comes after the team suffered its second-worst season in the IPL, standing ninth out of the ten teams competing in the 2022 edition.