Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai Super Kings opener, has had a good start during the current IPL. An almost hundred in the opening game and an explosive start against Lucknow Super Giants must have made the selectors take note of his performance in a World Cup year with the next installment of T20 World Cup not being far away. His earlier stint in the national colours wasn’t that impressive with meagre returns but he must have matured in one year out of the Indian side. His first stint would have instilled in him what is missing. Perhaps, his next stint will be more productive. Alongwith Shubman Gill, the Indian opening combination is beginning to shape up. Atleast in white-ball cricket.
While Gill has established himself as the Indian opener in all the formats, by the way, I think he will be better suited in the middle order, Gaikwad will have to perform at a level that overshadows every other competitor. There is Prithvi Shaw who despite his indifferent form, is constantly being talked about. He already has a Test hundred to his name and thereby is a front runner. Then there is Rahul. He is very much in the squad and still remains the first choice opener to partner Rohit in T20 atleast.
Stiff competition for the opening slot
The competition for Gaikwad is cut-throat. The belligerent 92 of just 50 balls was brilliant to watch for as long as it lasted. The heart warming aspect of that innings was the fact that he didn’t try to get to his hundred and instead looked to score as many runs as possible. The astounding aspect of Gaikwad’s batting was that he picked the lengths rather quickly and went on the backfoot or the frontfoot accordingly.
Credit must be given where it is due. The CSK management. They kept their faith in Gaikwad despite his scores of 0, 5 and 0 in 2020. Soon after, he was down with Covid and if he had thought that his chances have come and gone, he wouldn’t have been wrong. However, that is not how CSK works. They invited him back into the team and reposed faith in him. This sort of galvanised Gaikwad and has since then become an important member of the CSK squad.
Dhoni’s appreciation
Dhoni was quite appreciative of his efforts
“Ruturaj, when he gets going, he’s a pleasure to watch,” Dhoni said. “Because he times the ball really well, uses the pace of the bowler and makes the right decisions. Under pressure, it’s all about making the right decisions. Over the years, the way he has groomed himself and the way he picks his options, especially when he gets going, he’s very pleasing on the eye.”
Gill in the same game, was like a supercar running at full speed and so smoothly that anyone sitting inside, will not feel that the car is actually moving. Such was the style and grace that Gill exhibited. The silken drives of the front foot and the strong backfoot play were all on full display. He is in good form with centuries across all the formats and is high in confidence. Runs at the highest level of the game will infuse in any batsman the sort of adrenaline rush that is hard to describe.
The partnership of Gill and Gaikwad
Will it be in the mould of the two Ws? Wasim and Waqar. Likewise, will it be a song of Gill and Gaikwad for India? Gill has already shown how good is he against the best of attacks. Now, it is time for Gaikwad to replicate his form. He is in the appropriate age category with the right blend of experience and skills. Both can be an asset to the Indian white-ball squad. When both are amongst the runs, it will be a nightmare for the opposition bowling. They are capable of getting the team off to a strong start without taking undue risks. Something that is missing from the current Indian limited over teams.
Gill as I had already mentioned is already there but Gaikwad will have to set up to partner him. Rohit will not be around for too long. With his low levels of fitness, it will be a stretch to see Rohit play white-ball cricket beyond the ODI World Cup. It essentially means that Gaikwad is finding form and scoring at the right time when the entire Indian board is watching. Hardik Pandya, the soon-to-be a longterm Indian white-ball captain believes that Gaikwad has the game to do wonders for the nation. He was in attendance and at the receiving end during the game and probably has seen something in Gaikwad to comment on those lines.
Wrapping up the dream partnership of G & G
Signs are good and Gaikwad has ticked all the boxes so far in 2 games. If he could have a strong season, he can push Rahul for a spot in the ODI squad. A bit further, he can certainly replace him in the T20 squad.
Other articles about Gill can be read here, here, here, here and here