Kolkata Knight Riders mentor, Gautam Gambhir, reminisced about his intense rivalry with MS Dhoni, emphasizing the strategic prowess required to outmanoeuvre his former captain during his tenure with the Chennai Super Kings. Ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2024 clash between CSK and KKR in Chennai, Gambhir expressed his fondness for the rivalry with Dhoni and the Super Kings during his captaincy at the Knight Riders.
Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in revitalizing KKR’s fortunes in the IPL, guiding the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise to two IPL title triumphs. Their maiden victory came in Chennai, where they conquered CSK in the final, successfully chasing down 192 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Gambhir’s astute leadership played a crucial role in clinching the title, halting CSK’s quest for a hat-trick of IPL titles during their peak.
“I wanted to win. I am very clear in my mind. Friends, mutual respect, everything will remain. But when you are in the middle, I am captaining KKR and he is captaining CSK. If you ask him, he will probably give you the same answer. It’s about winning. Obviously, MS is the most successful captain India will ever have. I don’t think anyone can reach that level – winning 3 ICC trophies,” Gambhir told Star Sports.
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Having arrived in Chennai early last week, Gambhir has been meticulously strategizing to thwart CSK’s plans. During intensive training sessions with KKR at Chepauk, Gambhir engaged in fervent discussions with head coach Chandrakant Pandit. As Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer prepare to lead CSK and KKR respectively on Monday, fans eagerly anticipate the reunion of MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir, anticipating a tactical showdown between the two stalwarts.
MS Dhoni is a challenge: Gautam Gambhir
Reflecting on the challenges posed by CSK, Gambhir emphasized the importance of never underestimating MS Dhoni and his squad, particularly admiring Dhoni’s tenacity as a finisher. Despite the odds, Gambhir stressed the necessity of maintaining superior tactical acumen to outsmart Dhoni on the field.
“But, yes, in the IPL, enjoyed every bit of it because I knew MS had that tactical mindset. He is very good tactically. Knew how to control the spinners, how to set the fields against them and would never give up as well. He batted at No. 6 or 7, and we knew that till he was there, he could finish off the game.” said Gambhir.
“Even if they needed 20 runs in an over, and MS was in the middle, he could finish off that game. At the same time, I knew I had the bowling attack to challenge anyone in the Super Kings. Knew that tactically had to be better than him in every front because he is not that aggressive on the field, but knew he would not give up. Chennai is that kind of a team, against whom you know you are not winning until the last ball was bowled,” Gambhir concluded.
KKR aim to extend their unbeaten streak in IPL 2024, with a victory against CSK potentially propelling them back to the top of the points table.
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