IPL 2023: CSK's Ajay Mandal Speaks On Working Alongside MS Dhoni And Receiving Ravindra Jadeja's Final-Winning Bat

Last Update on: June 13th, 2023 at 03:48 pm

Being selected for the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a dream come true for any cricketer, and playing under the leadership of MS Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is considered the pinnacle of that dream. Ajay Mandal, a talented all-rounder representing Chhattisgarh in domestic cricket, had the privilege of sharing the dressing room with Dhoni and other cricketing stalwarts.

Having scored over 1000 runs and taken 100 wickets in First-class cricket, Ajay Mandal was recruited by CSK in the mini-auction at his base price.

Although he did not get the opportunity to play in his debut IPL season, Ajay Mandal played a crucial role in the nets, preparing the CSK batsmen to face the spin-rich Gujarat Titans bowling attack before the first qualifier in Chennai.

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I’ve To Say MS Dhoni’s Aura In Awesome: Ajay Mandal

Reflecting on his interactions with Dhoni, Ajay Mandal emphasized the awe-inspiring aura that surrounds the legendary cricketer. Mandal mentioned how fans would cheer for Dhoni even during net sessions, highlighting the immense respect and admiration people have for him.

“I’ve to say that his aura is awesome. People love to cheer for him whenever he walks out to bat, even during the nets session. Whenever we trained, he often came and asked me to bowl like this or bat like that. He was never shy of giving advice which is now very crucial for me,” he told News18 CricketNext.

“You are often confused when you are new to a tournament like IPL. Just because it’s a different ball game altogether. It’s completely different from domestic cricket. So, I got to learn from him about the kind of mindset you need to have when you are going to perform at such a grand stage.”

Transitioning from domestic cricket to the IPL can be challenging, and Mandal acknowledged feeling a sense of confusion initially. He noted that the IPL is a completely different ball game, requiring a different mindset and approach. However, learning from Dhoni about the mental preparation needed to perform on such a grand stage proved invaluable for Ajay Mandal’s development as a cricketer.

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It Was The Same Bat Ravindra Jadeja Scored Winning Runs With: Ajay Mandal

Another memorable moment for Ajay Mandal came when Ravindra Jadeja gifted him the bat with which he scored the winning runs in the final. Mandal shared the backstory, mentioning that a month before the final, he had expressed his desire to obtain a bat from Jadeja. To his delight, Jadeja agreed.

“I would like to tell you the background story. A month prior to the final, I said to Jaddu bhai, “At the end of the IPL, mujhe aapse ek bat chahiye (I need a bat).” And he agreed. Cut to the final that we won. We were in the dressing room and he called me, “Mandal, idhar aa (Come here),” he told News18 CricketNext.

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“He was packing up his kit bag, took out the bat and asked me, “Is bat ka pick up check kar, mujhe thoda bhaari lag raha hai (check this bat out, I feel it’s heavy).” So, I held it, checked it and said that the pick up is very good. So, he said, “Theek hai, rakh le ise tu (Keep it then).” It was the same bat with which he scored the winning runs and I felt so good.”

Ajay Mandal’s time with the CSK team, learning from the likes of MS Dhoni and receiving a memorable gift from Ravindra Jadeja, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on his cricketing career. The young all-rounder has gained invaluable experience and mentorship, setting him on a path to further success in the future.