Ruturaj Gaikwad's terrific performance for CSK should concern Indian openers: Simon Doull

After not qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings have now become the first team to qualify for this year’s IPL. On account of their win against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the MS Dhoni-led CSK have now got 18 points in 11 games. The CSK bowlers yet again performed their role to perfection and restricted SRH to just 134. Josh Hazlewood was the star as he picked up three wickets. He was well-supported by all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who picked up two wickets.

The pitch at Sharjah was not a typical belter of a track and some oddballs stopped coming onto the bat. Dhoni told his bowlers to exploit the conditions perfectly. With the bowlers doing their job superbly, it was up to the CSK batters to get the required target of 135 against a quality SRH bowling lineup. With no pressure of asking rate, CSK’s young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad went about his job without any fuss whatsoever. He took some pressure off his senior partner Faf du Plessis and scored a brisk 45.

The duo put on a stand worth 75 runs which led CSK to effectively finish the game off. Yes, CSK eventually took 19 overs to wipe out 134, but Ruturaj Gaikwad and Du Plessis’ partnership laid the platform for the rest of the batters. Cricketer-turned-expert Simon Doull was impressed about Gaikwad’s performance and said, “You have got the experience and old in Du Plessis (probably one of the fitter guys around the international circuit and also in the tournament). He is a great role model for a guy like Ruturaj to learn from,” Doull said to Cricbuzz.

“Some shots that this young man plays, dancing down the wicket, hitting the ball over long-on, hitting the ball over extra cover, long of as well. Running down to Rashid, which we won’t see very often. He just continues to impress. We have said it before and we would say it again, he is an Indian player waiting.”

Guys like Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill would be a little bit worried: Simon Doull

Doull further opined that players like Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, and a couple of other guys would be a little bit worried seeing Gaikwad’s performances in the ongoing IPL. “I would say the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill and a couple of those other guys who have shown promise and have had an opportunity would be a little bit worried,” Doull added.