So much to like about Ruturaj Gaikwad: Ravi Shastri hails CSK batter

In the Indian Premier League 2021 edition, Ruturaj Gaikwad was the leading run-scorer of the tournament and played a key role to secure CSK’s fourth IPL title.

However, in the ongoing season, Gaikwad has been a pale shadow of himself, with 237 runs in 9 matches. But the swashbuckling batter returned to form and scored a sensational 99 off 57 balls in the last fixture against SRH to steer his side to a comfortable win. 

He stitched a 182-run opening stand alongside Kiwi national Devon Conway and was certainly the star of the show. After this knock, the former India head coach, Ravi Shastri took to Twitter and hailed the innings of the CSK opener.  

“So much to like about RG. Plays express pace like most do against medium pace. He will get there in time. No Doubts. Classy stuff tonight,” Shastri said on Twitter.

Gaikwad smashed the fastest bowler of the tournament, Umran Malik in an emphatic fashion. In a total of 13 balls, he struck 33 runs and successfully tackled him to keep SRH at the backfoot.

Gaikwad stated that facing quality pace bowlers assisted him immensely. The Maharashtra batter also talked about countering short-pitched stuff.

“It felt good, better that it came in a win. There will be times when good balls come in and bad luck, but with good support staff you have faith. You have to start from zero, so I do not believe in form,” Gaikwad said.

Chasing a target of 203 on the board, SRH started off well with Abhishek Sharma and Kane Williamson scoring runs at a sublime rate to cross the score of 50 in the powerplay overs.

This innings would have given Gaikwad immense confidence and he’ll be eager to continue the good form in the upcoming matches.