Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was nervous watching the last-ball thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi. KKR scored 171/6 batting first and they had almost choked CSK in their run-chase.
Super Kings needed 26 runs in 12 deliveries when Ravindra Jadeja took on Prasidh Krishna and hit four boundaries. Krishna conceded 22 runs in the penultimate over and CSK required only 4 runs off the final over.
It looked like an easy win for the MS Dhoni-led side but Sunil Narine made the CSK lower-order struggle for every run. Shardul Thakur had managed to score three runs but after Ravindra Jadeja got out, it was once again a tense moment for them.
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In the end, Deepak Chahar hit the winning run and Ruturaj revealed he didn't want to see the last ball in nervousness. "I was hiding behind one of our members, was very nervous to watch the last ball. When you are chasing a big total, the opening stand is crucial. We managed to do it today. Would have been better if one of us batted till the 13th over.
"The game wouldn't have come this closer. He (Dhoni) is very cool. everyone sitting in the dugout is used to the pressure in their international careers too," Gaikwad told host broadcaster Star Sports after CSK's 2-wicket win.
"So I think they are really cool and back themselves to cross the line, The last ball (didn't want to see), because if there was a Super Over. maybe I could have batted and all the nervousness could have kicked in. Obviously, after every win, we do have celebrations. And when we lose the atmosphere is quite chilled out and normal as well. When we win we celebrate a lot," he added.
Ruturaj scored 40 runs in the opening partnership of 74 with Faf du Plessis. He is currently the second most run-scorer for CSK this season after his opening partner Du Plessis.
CSK are at the top of the points table with 8 wins in 10 matches. They are tied with Delhi Capitals in the number of wins but the three-time IPL champions have a better net run rate.
(With ANI Inputs)
