PUNE: Two hundred and eight days after hitting a record-breaking seven sixes in an over in the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-dayer, national selectors have indicated that they also trust the defensive abilities of Maharashtra top-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The Chennai Super Kings star, an Orange Cap winner in 2021, the 26-year-old is enjoying a purple patch.The Pune boy was a part of the IPL-winning team for the second time last month and got married earlier this month. Butcricket has been his first love and the bond is expected to reach the next level as he is has been included for the two-match Test series in West Indies.
“Extremely happy for him,” said former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, whose academy in Thergaon (Pimpri-Chinchwad) groomed Ruturaj. It was double delight for Vengsarkar as the second new inductee in India’s Test team — Yashasvi Jaiswal — is also from his academy at the Oval Maidan in Mumbai. The former chairman of national selectors recalled that both batters had got a lot of runs as teens during his academy’s tour to the UK.
“I hope they both get the opportunities (in the playing XI),” he added. “Ruturaj has to grab his chance with both hands and be consistent.”
After the white-ball home series against South Africa late last year, Ruturaj had displayed remarkable consistency in domestic white-ball cricket in both the Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy and Hazare one-dayers.
Besides hitting the seven-ball over of left-arm spinner out of the park, he scored 220 not out, three more hundreds including one in the final against Jaydev Unadkat’s Saurashtra and a total of 660 runs in just five games.
The Chennai Super Kings star, an Orange Cap winner in 2021, the 26-year-old is enjoying a purple patch.The Pune boy was a part of the IPL-winning team for the second time last month and got married earlier this month. Butcricket has been his first love and the bond is expected to reach the next level as he is has been included for the two-match Test series in West Indies.
“Extremely happy for him,” said former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, whose academy in Thergaon (Pimpri-Chinchwad) groomed Ruturaj. It was double delight for Vengsarkar as the second new inductee in India’s Test team — Yashasvi Jaiswal — is also from his academy at the Oval Maidan in Mumbai. The former chairman of national selectors recalled that both batters had got a lot of runs as teens during his academy’s tour to the UK.
“I hope they both get the opportunities (in the playing XI),” he added. “Ruturaj has to grab his chance with both hands and be consistent.”
After the white-ball home series against South Africa late last year, Ruturaj had displayed remarkable consistency in domestic white-ball cricket in both the Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy and Hazare one-dayers.
Besides hitting the seven-ball over of left-arm spinner out of the park, he scored 220 not out, three more hundreds including one in the final against Jaydev Unadkat’s Saurashtra and a total of 660 runs in just five games.
Then came the IPL and another round of applause for his commitment to the team, temperament and ability to handle pressure. Though he didn’t match prolific run-scoring of Shubman Gill (890 runs at an average of 157.80), Ruturaj almost matched his average (590 runs @147.5) in the T20 extravaganza.
However, Ruturaj’s forte remains his balance at the crease, timing and placement of his shots and ability to score big with minimal risk.
Without too many firstclass runs in his pocket (six tons in 47 innings), he is expected to ride on the confidence and ability to soak in the pressure of quality spells.
(AI image)
