Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad made a heartfelt gesture by dedicating his team’s emphatic victory to teammate Mukesh Choudhary, who recently lost his mother.
Emotional tribute in a dominant win
CSK registered a commanding 103-run win over Mumbai Indians in Match 33 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium.
After the match, Gaikwad acknowledged the emotional circumstances surrounding Mukesh and praised his courage.
“Pretty tough on him (Mukesh Choudhary), I would dedicate this win to him. All glory to him. Everyone chipped in and wanted to be there for him. Feels good on the win,” Gaikwad said.
The CSK players also wore black armbands during the match as a mark of respect.
Samson’s century powers CSK
Opting to bat first, Chennai posted a formidable 207/6, thanks largely to a stunning unbeaten 101 by Sanju Samson.
The innings was built on collective contributions, with several batters chipping in with crucial scores to push the total beyond the 200-run mark.
Gaikwad highlighted the importance of these efforts, saying even smaller contributions played a key role alongside Samson’s match-winning knock.
Bowlers seal emphatic victory
In reply, Mumbai Indians struggled throughout their innings and were bowled out for just 104 in 19 overs.
Akeal Hosein starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Noor Ahmad provided strong support.
Gaikwad also credited Mukesh Choudhary’s early breakthrough, including the dismissal of Quinton de Kock, for setting the tone.
Captain reflects on strategy and team balance
Explaining his decision at the toss, Gaikwad said it was based on instinct and pitch conditions.
“My gut feeling wanted me to bat first. Sanju and I felt it wasn’t coming on nicely,” he noted.
He further praised the balance of the squad, highlighting the impact of bowlers like Hosein and Noor, and emphasised the team’s calm and composed approach.
CSK climb up the table
With this win, Chennai Super Kings moved to fifth place in the standings, collecting six points from seven matches.
They will next face Gujarat Titans on April 26 as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
Conclusion
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s gesture underlined the strong team spirit within CSK, as cricket took a backseat to human emotion. Mukesh Choudhary’s presence on the field amid personal grief, combined with the team’s tribute, made the victory even more meaningful.