Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan has fired a warning to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ongoing IPL 2024.
The upcoming game is a virtual shootout as both CSK and RCB are vying for the remaining last playoffs spot. CSK have the upper hand as of now as they already have 14 points and just need to avoid a big defeat to go through. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are also in contention but their chances are extremely low due to their negative net run-rate.
One between CSK and RCB are looking destined to qualify for the playoffs. And ahead of the huge clash, Irfan Pathan has said Ruturaj Gaikwad could lose the captaincy if he fails to take CSK to the playoffs. Speaking on Star Sports, the former cricketer-turned-commentator recalled the 2022 season when Ravindra Jadeja stepped down as the CSK captain midway through the season following the team’s poor performances.
“CSK bring in the pedigree of being the team who knows how to win crucial moments. But they have lots of issues at the moment. Injury issues, new captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is no longer leading them. You might have seen him occasionally setting the field, but he is not the captain.
“You might have remembered what happened when [Ravindra] Jadeja led the side and it didn’t end well, the same can happen again. CSK fans will hope that they march ahead of these issues and win the crucial two points,” said Pathan.
Incidentally, Gaikwad started his journey as the CSK captain with a thumping win over RCB at the start of the season and will be hoping to lead his team to another win. He has also led CSK from the very front this season. Gaikwad is the second-highest run-scorer this season and has scored 583 runs so far with the help of one century and four half-centuries.
Irfan Pathan picks the favorite:
Speaking further, Irfan Pathan also picked RCB as the favorites to win the upcoming game. He said that the momentum is with RCB and it makes them a dangerous side. RCB are coming into the game after registering five wins in a row.
“Nothing is easy. It’s not going to be easy for both teams. RCB has the momentum, a solid momentum. And if they win as there is no more dangerous side than the one in strong momentum,” said Pathan.
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