Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of four players kept by CSK ahead of mega auction. 25-year-old has scored over 1200 runs in three years with Chennai Super Kings. However, he has failed to replicate his domestic success on the international stage.
Because of his value to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), 25-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of four players kept by the team in preparation for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction. With the Yellow Army, the youth has spent three years accumulating over 1200 runs (36 games, 1 century, 10 50s).
Not only has Gaikwad excelled in the IPL, but he has also shown great promise on the home circuit. In the 2021–22 season, he scored the most runs and won the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Out of five matches, the hitter scored 603 runs, the most of any player in the tournament.
However, the opening hitter has been unable to repeat his domestic success on the international stage, scoring 135 runs at a dismal 16.88 average in nine T20I outings. Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have risen above Gaikwad in recent tours, demonstrating how fierce the battle has become for the opening slot.
Gaikwad’s CSK teammate, Robin Uthappa, who he shares a dressing room with in the IPL, has backed him up through this hard time by saying that he is equally adept at all three formats of the game. “For example, if you give Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) five consecutive games to play, you can rest assured that he would contribute. And then you’ll realise that this is a guy that can represent his country in all three formats.
Uthappa also attempted to decipher Gaikwad’s style by explaining why, despite his great profile in the IPL, he has not been successful at the international level. “To appreciate why IPL is so special, you need to know that it is among the world’s top events. Another thing you need to know is that Ruturaj is a person who has worked their way up through the ranks. After his first few games in the IPL, he finally found his groove.
With the Indian team, he is not getting nearly as many playing opportunities. Regarding humanity, he is a touch sensitive. He’s really in touch with his emotions and uses them to navigate the world, he said.
The Men in Blue will play a three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe, and Gaikwad will be a part of the team’s strategy. If Gaikwad is given a chance to play in a 50-over game, it will be fascinating to see how he responds.
