After ending rumours of rift with Virat Kohli with a heartwarming hug during strategic timeout, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir hugged his fierce rival, former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni. After his team’s first defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Gambhir embraced Dhoni during customary handshake.
Dhoni walked out to bat at no.5 as only three runs were needed to win the game from 19 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter scored one run from three balls as CSK won the game by seven wicket 14 balls to spare.
Earlier, before the clash between CSK and KKR, Gambhir hailed Dhoni as the most successful captain India will ever produce.
"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 said while speaking to Star Sports.
Gambhir also recalled the kind of threat Dhoni posed to IPL franchises in his prime. The former KKR captain said he enjoyed going up against Dhoni who is tactically sound.
“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.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
