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Ahead of the high-voltage IPL 2024 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders, former Indian opener and current KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir reminisced about his past battles with MS Dhoni. Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles, acknowledged the tactical challenges he faced against Dhoni's CSK. Gambhir particularly enjoyed the competitive spirit shared between himself and Dhoni on the field. He highlighted a specific instance where KKR, under his captaincy, upstaged CSK in the IPL final held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This win not only secured KKR's first IPL championship but also denied CSK a historic hat-trick of titles, showcasing Gambhir's sharp tactical mind and his team's ability to overcome a formidable opponent at their peak.
Dhoni is the most successful captain India will ever have: Gambhir
"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.
With the much-anticipated IPL clash between CSK and KKR just around the corner, all eyes are on the reunion of former captains MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir arrived in Chennai last week and has been actively formulating strategies to dismantle the Super Kings. Intense discussions were observed between Gambhir and head coach Chandrakant Pandit during KKR's training sessions at Chepauk, hinting at meticulously crafted plans.
Fans eagerly await not only the on-field action but also the tactical battle between these two IPL legends. Gambhir reminisced about the past challenges of defeating CSK, emphasising that he always instilled a sense of respect for Dhoni and his team in his players, even when KKR seemed to have the upper hand. The 2011 World Cup winner also lauded Dhoni's unwavering spirit. He acknowledged that teams feared Dhoni's finishing prowess, even when CSK required a seemingly impossible number of runs in the final over. This upcoming match promises a thrilling display of cricketing strategy and leadership, with Gambhir aiming to outsmart his former captain Dhoni.
“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,” Gambhir added.
"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.
Notably, KKR have won all the three matches in the ongoing IPL season so far. First they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) then followed it up with a stunning win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In their third match, Shreyas Iyer-led KKR thrashed Delhi Capitals to sit second in the IPL 2024's points table with six points in three matches.
It will be a battle of might when the two IPL juggernauts, KKR and CSK, will be up against each other at Chepauk.
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