Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar reckons talented Maharashtra batter Ruturaj Gaikwad can serve Indian cricket in all three formats of the game.
Gaikwad has impressed with his batting abilities and he has shown the skills to go a long way in his career.
The right-hander has a good batting technique and he can definitely deliver the goods for the national team. Gaikwad scored 635 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2021 while playing for Chennai Super Kings at an impressive average of 45.35 and a blistering strike rate of 136.26. The right-hander ended as the highest run-getter of the tournament and thus played a key role in the success of the franchise.
On the other hand, Gaikwad has an impressive record in the domestic circuit. Gaikwad has scored 2681 runs in 57 List A matches at an average of 47.17. Furthermore, he has accumulated 1389 runs in 21 First-class matches at an average of 38.54 with the help of four centuries.
Gaikwad has certainly shown the right temperament in the T20 format and there is no doubt that he can do well in the Test format as well as the 50-overs version.
“I think he is a fabulous talent. He can serve India in all three formats in the time to come. He has got a range of shots and a great shot selection. He’s got the technique and he has shown the temperament to deal with any kind of pressure. It’s an exciting time to see how he develops as an international cricketer,” Gavaskar said on Sports Today.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad could not grab his opportunity in the T20I series against Sri Lanka as he could only score 35 runs in the two matches he played. However, after an impressive show in the IPL 2021, the selectors have once again included him in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Gaikwad will look to grab his chance against the Kiwis and deliver for the team. The first T20I will be played in Jaipur on November 17.
India’s T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj.
