R Ashwin (right) presents the CSK jersey to Gukesh at Chepauk.
In a heartwarming video posted by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), 18-year-old chess World Champion met R Ashwin at the Chepauk, where he was presented with CSK’s jersey No 18, which was followed by a chess game between the two.
Gukesh is India’s youngest grandmaster, missing the tag of becoming the world’s youngest by just 17 days. He’s the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates tournament, which earned him a shot at the World Championship in the first place. And he was the first Indian chess player to topple Viswanathan Anand’s 36-year stay in the world rankings as the top-ranked Indian player.
World champion of chess! ♟️
A Chennai paiyan at heart! 💛
A sparring with Ashwin! 🦁🤝Introducing Chennai Superstars! Get set to meet Gukesh and his love for the city!🥳🤝
Coming Soon! 📹🔜#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/bwVRm4zSDn
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2025
A Dhoni fan
Gukesh is a self-proclaimed MS Dhoni fan and has called the former India captain as his role model.
“When I was younger, it was Indian cricketer MS Dhoni, now it’s Novak Djokovic,” Gukesh had told PTI.
“I think both are great athletes and I admire a lot of things about both of them.
“I think the way Dhoni and tennis great Novak Djokovic handle themselves under immense pressure, they are big-game players and always come out on top and bring out their best whenever needed. That is why I am attracted to them.”
Working with Paddy Upton
In the lead up to the World Chess Championship, Gukesh enlisted the services of renowned mind guru Paddy Upton, who has previously helped the Indian cricket team win a World Cup in 2011 and the Indian hockey team win bronze at the Paris Olympics.
“Gukesh has just been an absolute blessing and a gift to work with,” Upton had told The Indian Express recently. “I’ve just been amazed at his self-awareness and maturity. Not just his game, but his awareness about himself, his processes and his mind. He asks great questions, and is hungry to learn,” said Paddy Upton in an interview with The Indian Express.
