Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Mukesh Chaudhary admitted that he never thought he will play cricket after he helped the franchise in winning their second match of the ongoing season.

Chaudhary bowled a superb opening spell as he returned with his best bowling IPL figures of 3-19 in the three overs he bowled.

The left-arm pacer from Maharashtra gave a perfect start to his team as he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan in the first over of the innings. Rohit lobbed the ball to mid-on fielder Mitchell Santner whereas Kishan was castled with a peach of the delivery.

Subsequently, Chaudhary flummoxed Dewald Brevis with a slower delivery to take his third wicket. In fact, the 25-year-old should have got his fourth wicket but Dwayne Bravo fluffed Tilak Varma’s catch at first slip.

Chaudhary was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine spell after MS Dhoni took the team to a thrilling three-wicket win.

Mukesh Chaudhary said in the post-match presentation, “I never thought I’d play cricket. Was at boarding school in Pune, we had an hour’s sports period and I used to play all kinds of sports there. Tried playing cricket and seemed to be good at it. Have to bowl well in the powerplay where I’m supposed to bowl three overs. There is no pressure actually, to play with such big players around you automatically takes all the pressure away. I just want to have a good time and enjoy myself.”

On the other hand, Dwaine Pretorius also played a key hand in CSK’s emphatic win as he scored 22 runs off just 14 balls and kept his team in the contest. The South African showered praise on MS Dhoni, who scored an unbeaten 28 from 13 balls to take his team over the line.

Pretorius said after the game, “He (Dhoni) is the master at finishing. Did it again tonight. Wanted to go for that scoop shot in the first over. He asked me to wait. Then I asked him again and he said go for it. Working on my bowling. Glad to contribute to a win for my team.”

CSK will next take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.