Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Mukesh Choudhary has recalled how CSK skipper MS Dhoni and opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad have made a big impact on his career ever since he joined the Yellow brigade in IPL 2022.
The 26-year-old was bought by CSK for his base price of Rs 20 lakhs at the IPL 2022 mega auction, and he went on to pick up 16 wickets with a best of 4/46 and a strike rate of 17.7 in 13 matches in the IPL 2022.
The left-arm pacer had a great outing in domestic cricket, but he never thought CSK would pick him and he would get the opportunity to play 13 matches. He also revealed that Dhoni's words gave him confidence after his forgettable outings in early matches of the IPL 2022.
Mukesh Choudhary said on chennaisuperkings.com: “I never thought I would play for Chennai Super Kings. When I was on the team bus (for the first time), Dhoni tapped me on the shoulder and I was like, 'Oh this is happening with me and I felt very proud.”
The young pacer further explained how Dhoni and Ruturaj helped him, “In my first two matches, I couldn't perform to my potential. So, I used to talk to him (Dhoni) every day and also in between matches. Dhoni told me to believe in my abilities.”
He continued, “Rutu (Ruturaj) is my friend... so he was always there with me, he supported me and gave me the confidence saying, 'You have everything, you just have to believe in yourself because for every player it happens, where they go through this phase.' After the Mumbai (Indians) game, I gained confidence and continued to bowl with that confidence.”
Choudhary also said that swing is the most potent weapon in his armory, being a left-arm pacer, but he stressed that length is also equally important to get wickets.
He signed off by saying, “For a left-arm fast bowler, the swing is important and the one which comes into the right-hander is very important. In-swing is the most dangerous ball to any right-handed batter. Length is important. You need to work and improve your accuracy and swing.”
(With IANS Inputs)
