As the IPL 2023 kicks off on March 31st, cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating some high-octane matches. And what better way to start the season than with a clash between the defending champions, Gujarat Titans (GT), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK)?
After a disappointing season in 2022, CSK will be looking to bounce back and prove themselves as one of the top teams in the league. And with the addition of star all-rounder Ben Stokes to their already strong lineup, they certainly have the firepower to do so.
But it’s not just their batting and bowling prowess that has people talking. According to rising star Riyan Parag, there’s one man on the CSK team who has truly mastered the art of finishing games: MS Dhoni.
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In an interview with PTI, Parag spoke about his admiration for Dhoni and how he looks up to him as a role model for finishing games. “I do not think anyone else has mastered that art than MS Dhoni,” he said. “Going into that role, I always look up to him, how he finishes games or how he takes the game deep.”
Of course, Parag isn’t just a fan of Dhoni’s. He’s also a talented cricketer in his own right, having had a standout season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. With 253 runs and a strike rate of 165.35, as well as two half centuries, Parag is certainly a player to watch in the upcoming IPL.
And it’s not just his batting that’s improved. Parag has also been working on his leg-breaks, putting in over 350 overs of practice to ensure he’s ready to contribute to the team whenever he’s needed.
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So as the GT and CSK prepare to face off in what’s sure to be an exciting opening match, all eyes will be on the likes of Dhoni, Parag, Stokes, and others to see who will come out on top. But no matter the outcome, one thing’s for sure: this IPL season is going to be one for the books.