'COVID has made me tough': Ruturaj Gaikwad after scoring back-to-back half-centuries

Ruturaj Gaikw said that he is feeling pretty confident after scoring back-to-back half-centuries. He scored a 53-ball 72 in Chennai's competitive run chase of 173 against Kolkata at Dubai International Stium, Dubai on Thursday. In end, Ravindra Jeja played an outstanding kck as three-time winners snatched victory from jaws of defeat by 5 wickets off final ball of contest.

opener was judged Man of Match award for his match-winning kck.

'I have backed myself': Ruturaj Gaikw

"It is feeling good. Pretty confident as well. I have backed myself. Both innings when I got out early, I knew situation was a little tough. COVID has me me tough. As our captain says, face every situation with a smile. I stayed positive and didn't think much about future", said Gaikw during post-match interview.

His skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that it was one game where climax went in ir favour.

"I think it was one game in which climax went in our favour. Lot of credit to guys. This season he (Ravindra Jeja)has been fantastic. He has been only one in our team who has scored in death overs. He needed somebody else and that would have been good for us. We want to give games to people who haven't played. Ruturaj has shown talent that he is. He came in and got positive with COVID. We didn't have much time to have a look at him. He is one of talented youngsters going around. He is t someone who speaks a lot. Once you go inside, you are only one handling pressure. When we me him play first game, he stepped out and got out. But one ball is never eugh. I think it is very exciting how he has grabbed his chances", said Dhoni.

Dhoni's opposite number Eoin Morgan said that his team was on wrong side of toss despite having played really well.

"I think we played really well re, just on wrong side of toss. dew from about 8th over was really challenging. We improved on our batting. Our bowlers absolutely gave it ir everything. We have one game left and still have a very little chance. We felt we were right in game. Nitish Rana kicked on and showed his class once again. It was actually a good day for us with bat. y (Varun Chakravarthy & Sunil Narine) are two fantastic spinners. I can't fault anyone's effort tonight. He (Nagarkoti) didn't have eugh runs to defend. He's a young guy, he will take it on chin and move forward. Looking forward to next game against Royals", he said.

(Im Courtesy: IPL Twitter)