Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has attributed Chennai Super Kings’ success in the ongoing IPL to their pre-season camp and praised the team management for making the players feel secure and clearly stating their roles.

CSK put themselves in line for a fifth IPL title triumph after they stormed into the final with a 15-run victory over holders Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the Chepauk in Chennai on Tuesday.

“The camp was very vital because a new surface was being laid over in Chennai,” Gaikwad said at the post-match press conference.

“Everyone was not sure how the wicket was going to be or how the wicket was going to play. But sometimes when you play on flat tracks, you need not have to think much on your shots and not much about the opposition bowling.

“Sometimes batsmen play good shots and hats off to him. Even while you’re batting, it’s about getting into the zone.”

Several CSK players, including Gaikwad, had never played an IPL game in Chennai before this season. The camp had begun on March 3, with captain MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu among the first batch of players to arrive in the city.

“A lot of effort goes into our success. It started from last year when we didn’t qualify for the playoffs... the management got something to work on and there were things which we needed to improve and put an effort on.

“This year, right from the first game, we were sure about who is going to play and who is not going to play... Everyone knew about their roles.

“When the Sri Lankans came late they were up to the mark from the first game