Chennai: Super Kings’ opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway stitched together a record-breaking 182-run partnership in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad to set up a 13-run win.
Post the game, Ruturaj, who made 99, felt elated about scoring big and contributing to the team’s success.
“It’s always special to score big at your home-ground, but more importantly, I’m happy because I contributed towards the team’s win,” Ruturaj told Mukesh Choudhary in an interview on iplt20.com. “It felt good to play well in front of family and friends.
“There was no pressure of performing in front of family and friends, but I wanted to make them proud. Doing well in front of them is a big achievement. I was waiting for the moment and, thankfully, it happened,” Ruturaj added.
The right-hand batter further heaped praise on Conway, saying he enjoyed batting with the Kiwi and added that winning the game is more important than a 99 or 100.
“I enjoyed batting with Devon. I am delighted for him as it was only his second match and he scored his maiden IPL fifty. We haven’t played together much, but we spend a lot of time in my room. Hence, we got to know about each other’s game, how we communicate and how we react to certain situations on the field,” he stated.
“We already had off-field conversations and, thankfully, we shared a very good partnership.
“Getting out on 99 made me a little sad, but I am happy that I was able to contribute to a win. Whether it’s 99 or 100, winning the game is important,” Gaikwad added.
Mukesh, who picked up four wickets, said: “It felt good to do well in front of family. Parents have come for the first time to see me play, so there was pressure on me to perform. I dropped a catch as well and was down, but I came back well and I’m happy.”
Ruturaj’s post-match press conference
“Initial season batting here in Mumbai and Pune is really tough especially against the new ball. There is some movement, the wickets are a bit sticky and two paced. So obviously new ball has been really tough and you cannot really go at one pace if you are batting first or second. So, obviously you tend to get out to some good balls and you tend to be unlucky at times. That is what cricket is, and that is what the T20 format is.
“But, you have to trust your batting, you have to believe in yourself and obviously the support has been there always. I thought the wicket was slow and his pace (Umran Malik) was right on this wicket. He (Umran Malik) is fast and I just tried to put pressure on him from the first over. That was the main motive behind it and thankfully it ended on my side.”
On batting with Conway
“The opening combination depends on a lot of factors. Who are the overseas players? Deepak is not there and it is important to work out the bowling combination. Devon missed out after the first game, but we are a franchise where all are open to each other and we love to share conversations and we love to know each other about the game situations. There was no difference.
“Devon played after a long time, it was his second match and my plan was I will take the charge till he settles down and then he will be important as well.”
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