MS Dhoni told me to be ready for CSK captaincy in 2022: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Chennai, Apr 9: The charismatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni told Ruturaj Gaikwad to be prepared for Chennai Super Kings captaincy back in 2022 and he has been ready ever since even though there were no "deep conversations" between the two on how to lead one of the most successful IPL units.
Gaikwad, who led from the front in the win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday night, was stunningly appointed CSK captain a day before the IPL opener on March 22.
The team's earlier leadership experiment with Ravindra Jadeja did not work but the CSK think-tank has been bullish about Gaikwad's long-term reign. Dhoni is known for his no nonsense approach and that is how he discussed the transition with Gaikwad.
"To be honest, not really deep conversations. I feel it was in a very chilled state. Just one conversation I would say. Just we were practicing and he came and told me all this stuff," Gaikwad said in the post-match press conference after the seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders here on Monday.
"Obviously, everyone, others on the outside, would think they are big shoes to fill, but I feel I would always be myself and I would like to continue the culture that has been going on.
"I remember in 2022 when he told me, 'Probably not next year, but after that, you might get a chance to lead, so be ready for it'. So, obviously after that, I was always ready for it," said the opener.
A franchise like CSK is quite meticulous with its planning and that is why head coach Stephen Fleming was discussing field and bowling changes with Gaikwad last year.
"It was nothing new to me or a surprise or a shock. I know how to control the game. I know how the game progresses, which change (to make), and what to do when, as I was doing for the state team (Maharashtra) as well.
"Even last year, Fleming and I used to discuss captaincy after every game, about how I felt, what changes, bowling changes what I felt we needed to do, this or that. Every game, we had one-on-one conversations so that really helped."
When asked what change had he brought in as skipper, Gaikwad asserted that he believes in continuity.
"Captaincy-wise, I don't want to be a specific kind of character. Just let things flow and keep the culture of CSK going. The success that we had and the things we have been doing, I don't want to change a single bit of it.
"I just want to come here, make my own decisions and just give as much freedom as possible because that's what has been happening from when I joined CSK. Nothing really changes and I'm enjoying a lot."
"Captaincy, while batting, is a totally different approach"
Gaikwad's batting as the skipper this season has not been at his usual best but he made an unbeaten 67 against KKR.
When asked if captaincy had compelled him to make some changes to his batting, he said, "Sometimes there are phases where you get good balls. Sometimes there are phases where you are slightly unlucky. Sometimes there are phases where things don't really fall in shape.
"So, you don't really need to think on that. I always felt I was in good shape, starting really well, good headspace, so I wasn't really worried.
"And captaincy, while batting, is a totally different approach. Even when I was playing my first game, or the first fifty I scored for CSK, I think (it was a) similar kind of situation.
"We were chasing 140 and I always wanted to stay till the end and make sure I finish the innings so pretty much same. Nothing really changes even though I am captain or not," he said referring to the 138-run target set by KKR.
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If you choose AAP on May 25, I won't have to go back to jail: CM Kejriwal at roadshow
New Delhi, May 12: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow in Delhi on Sunday said if people choose the Aam Aadmi Party on May 25, he won't have to go back to jail.
Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal held a roadshow in Moti Nagar in support of the party's candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Somnath Bharti.
He also held a roadshow in Uttam Nagar along with Mann to garner support for the party's West Delhi candidate Mahabal Mishra.
"I have to go back to jail after 20 days. If you choose jhadu (AAP's symbol broom), I won't have to go back to jail," the chief minister said at the roadshow in Moti Nagar.
The AAP national convenor is out on an interim bail till June 1. He has to surrender on June 2.
"They sent me to jail because I worked for you. The BJP does not want that the work of Delhi people is done," he said.
Kejriwal alleged that his insulin injections were stopped for 15 days inside Tihar jail.
"If I went back to jail, the BJP would stop your work, free electricity, degrade schools and shut down hospitals and Mohalla Clinics," he charged.
He also asked people to vote for Bharti and claimed that he would be available for people even at odd hours.
At the roadshow in West Delhi, he said that people are saying that God has brought him out of jail to defeat the BJP.
"There is dictatorship in the country. We have to end this dictatorship," he added.
The polling for all the seven seats in Delhi will take place on May 25.
