Gujarat Titans spinner Sai Kishore credits his two-year “internship” at CSK and MS Dhoni’s calm leadership for shaping his bowling career in the IPL.

New Delhi: Gujarat Titans spinner Sai Kishore has emerged as a standout performer in IPL 2025crediting his formative years with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for shaping him into the bowler he is today. Speaking to the media through the JioCinema Star Sports Press Room, Kishore reflected on his journey, highlighting how his time with CSK laid the foundation for his current success. Having already proven his mettle in the domestic circuit with Tamil Nadu, Kishore has seamlessly carried that form into this IPL season, becoming a vital cog in GT’s bowling lineup.

The left-arm spinner has picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches at an impressive average of 17.64, particularly standing tall during the early stages of the tournament when Rashid Khan was still regaining form. Speaking on Star Sports Press Room during the ‘Race to Play-offs’ segment, Kishore reflected on his two-season stint with CSK, describing it as an invaluable learning phase.

“Yeah, CSK played a huge role in shaping me. It felt like two years of internship! CSK was the first team that picked me at the auction from Mushtaq Ali. Those two years were really valuable. I learned a lot — I used to constantly ask questions about how to handle different situations. But honestly, you only truly learn when you play,” said Kishore.

While he didn’t get any match time at CSK, Kishore emphasized how that period built his cricketing foundation. He especially credited MS Dhoni’s influence on his mindset and approach to the game.

“I can’t look past MS Dhoni — the influence he’s had on me has been huge. The way he led the team, the calmness with which he approached different situations — that’s really shaped the way I see the game and the way I operate,” he said.

Kishore also acknowledged the role of Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra and seasoned India spinner R Ashwin in his development.

“Another big influence is Ashu pa (our coach). The way he handles the team, it’s unique — it’s not common for a coach to have such a calm and controlled presence. And then there’s Ashubhai (Ravichandran Ashwin), who’s also made a great impact on me.”

As Gujarat Titans eye a strong finish in IPL 2025, Kishore’s evolution from a benchwarmer at CSK to a game-changer for GT is a testament to learning, patience, and the value of the right mentors.