Tips from Dhoni has helped 'finisher' Chirag Gandhi

The image of Chirag Gandhi scoring the winning runs will be played again and again on television channels whenever Gujarat's first Ranji Trophy triumph is being recalled. The 26-year-old right-hander from Surat called that moment as a "life-time" accomplishment.

"The Ranji Trophy winning shot will be remembered for ever. That is the moment that will be on television whenever clippings of Gujarat winning Ranji Trophy is shown on television," said a beaming Gandhi here on Friday.

Speaking at the end of the first day of the Irani Cup after scoring an unbeaten 136 to take Gujarat to a respectable 300/8 the slightly-built right-hander lower middle-order batsman said: "When I went in to bat, my mind was blank. I did not think much. I wanted to play freely. With the goal of winning Ranji Trophy accomplished, there was no pressure here," Gandhi said, looking relaxed and satisfied at having scored his maiden first-class century in his 14th appearance.

Having made his Ranji debut in 2012-13 season, Gandhi could not cement his place in the side due to the presence of professional Y Venugopala Rao. But now, with no Rao in the squad, Gandhi has begun to understand his role in the side after talking to seniors Parthiv Patel and RP Singh among others.

Coming in to bat at No. 6 with Gujarat 82/4, Gandhi shared 109 for the fifth wicket with Manprit Juneja. He is used to batting with the lower-order, more so in the shorter formats. So much so that he even said he benefitted from a conversation with the 'ultimate finisher' Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the Ranji quarters against Jharkhand in Nagpur earlier this month.

"I know I would be batting at Nos 6-7 and asked Mahibhai about how to play the role of a finisher to perfection. He told me how to bat with the tail and complete the job," said Gandhi, who is a self-confessed stroke player. "If the pitch has bounce, you have options to play strokes," he said.