Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will play against Mumbai Indians (MI) in what is referred to as the El Clasico of cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The upcoming match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 14.
Ahead of this fixture, Head Coach Stephen Fleming gave a big update on the Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who missed the last match due to a niggle. Fleming hinted at a potential absence for pacer, informing that his injury is not a severe one. Speaking at pre-match press conference, Fleming said, “It (Pathirana’s niggle) was not as bad as what we had thought, so we are very hopeful that if not tomorrow, then very close. We know the importance of him in games like this, but we will make sure he is 100 per cent in this form.”
There is no difference: Stephen Fleming on Ruturaj Gaikwad's comparison with MS Dhoni
Moreover, the Head Coach also heaped praise on the new CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over the reigns from MS Dhoni on the eve of the 17th edition of the IPL. The 51-year-old drew comparison of the two and termed Gaikwad a “cut from the same cloth”. Check the top betting trends on the best betting sites in India and apps.
“There is no difference (between Gaikwad and Dhoni). He is as cool as it gets. I know the last captain was pretty cool. But this guy is cut from the same cloth, so that is rubbed through,” Fleming said at the pre-match presser.
Talking about the CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 155 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 117.42 and the average of 38.75. His highest score of 67* came against Kolkata Knight Riders during CSK’s even-wicket win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
