Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsmen looked back at the extraordinary finish against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Qualifier 1 that secured them a place in the 2021 IPL finals. The three-time IPL winners needed a vintage finish from their skipper MS Dhoni, who took the side home on Sunday (October 10) night with a splendid six-ball, 18-run cameo which silenced critics.
Before the exhilarating finish, it was the top-order duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad (70) and Robin Uthappa (63) that set up a solid foundation with a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. CSK was in trouble early on in the chase after losing Faf Du Plessis for 1 run in the first over itself.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: One Can Never Write Off MS Dhoni As He Would Absorb Any Pressure At The Biggest Stage
Both players Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa lauded the effort from their skipper, who was under pressure heading into the game. MS Dhoni showed his match-winning abilities in crunch situations as his 6 ball cameo of 18 runs including 3 fours and 1 six. CSK was in a spot of bother at 149/5 and then 160/6 and MS Dhoni contributed when it mattered most.
Speaking to each other following the culmination of the match: “He’s a man of big stages for sure and he would absorb any pressure given to him and he did a good job and hopefully we are just one game away,” Ruturaj Gaikwad said.
“You can never write off someone like MS Dhoni at that situation in the biggest stage. He is the best there was, and I think the best there is. He is the man you want in that kind of situation,” Robin Uthappa said
CSK made the perfect statement following their debacle in the UAE last year. This marks the ninth IPL final for the franchise in 14 editions. The mammoth partnership for the second wicket was crucial to CSK’s success in the end.
The duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa never let the required rate affect them and even matched it as their partnership progressed. But skipper MS Dhoni came up with a performance that reminded the world why he’s among the greatest finishers of all time.
Robin Uthappa Always Wanted To Contribute To CSK’s Winning Cause
It seemed at one stage that the duo would take the side home after taming the DC bowling unit. CSK, however, lost trajectory after the loss of Robin Uthappa’s wicket, which brought upon the surprise promotion of Shardul Thakur at No.4. He fell for a first-ball duck and Ambati Rayudu was then run out after scoring 1 and Moeen Ali contributed by scoring 16 off 12. The scoreline was 160/6 in the 20th over.
Robin Uthappa reckons the duo would have been able to wrap up the chase themselves had he not suffered a niggle.
He added: “The focus was completely on the game. I’ve been sitting out for like 10-11 games, so always wanted to contribute to the team. When the opportunity came along, I knew that I had to be true to myself. When I came out to bat, my only thought process was to stitch a good partnership. I think if not for that little niggle, I think we would have finished it off.”