Ruturaj Gaikwad has made a name for himself with his exceptional knocks while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. For the last few seasons, he has been in great form and helped CSK win their fourth IPL title on Friday as well. And, his coach Mohan Jadhav has shared some of his childhood memories.
However, he was 13 years old when he was on the verge of getting selected for the Under-14 camp of the Maharashtra Cricket. Despite having scored plenty of runs, he failed to do well in the key selection-trial games.
This is the first time a CSK player has won the Orange Cap while also winning the IPL 🏆
Robin Uthappa in 2014 and now Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2021 are the only two instances the Orange Cap winners have ended up being champions. pic.twitter.com/ZiEvEjSsgJ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 16, 2021
“For him, the runs in the big games mattered the most,” Mohan Jadhav recalled. Jadhav gave Gaikwad time to weep before he pacified him saying that if he manages to do well in the next game, Maharashtra will still select him and Gaikwad hit 182 and the rest is history. But he has faced failures too, including not getting chances.
“I told him that they have kept you to watch and learn. The day your turn comes, you should be mentally ready. You are lucky that you are not getting a chance to play; imagine if you got and failed, it would take a lot of time to get back (into the scheme of things). Just be ready for your chance,” Jadhav added.
“Bumrah ko maara boss” – Surendra Bhave on Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj six of Bumrah in the first game of second leg is my favrt shot of tournament n favrt innings 💛
n his celebration after that century is favrt moment.
well played little Champion @Ruutu1331 #CSK4Ever
CHAMPION SUPER KINGS 👑 pic.twitter.com/GFQGM98bVW— diksha. (@ms_misfitt_) October 16, 2021
Surendra Bhave, former India selector and ex Maharashtra coach, too was impressed by one of Rituraj’s shot.
“Bumrah ko maara boss! I have asked him before in the past and he has told me that he sort of instinctively goes for it.” It’s quite a stunning instinct, then. Even as Bumrah released the ball full, Gaikwad crouched, bent his knee, and swept it as if it were a full toss from an offspinner. “Koi Badtameez shot nahi khelta, ”Bhave says with a laugh before he makes sure it doesn’t get lost in translation. “Not a single bad-looking or any out-of-place shots. It seems every shot is the most appropriate shot for that ball. And yet, we see him sweeping, charging down the track, pulling, lapping, and the whole array of shots really – and still, each time it seems it’s a perfect shot for that ball.
“What it tells you is the clarity of thought and calm temperament. There is no rush of blood or predetermination. And this even in a T20 format. I have seen him in longer forms and can tell you he is brilliant there,” he added.
Chavan also said about how Ruturaj Gaikwad kept updating himself in his early years when he was with the academy along with his work ethic. The same attitude was seen later by Bhave also with the Ranji team.
“He wasn’t as great on the back foot as he is now. That has come in the last 3-4 years. He keeps updating himself. Ruturaj is one of the quickest movers down the track and a very good player of spin. He is good with the backfoot punch and pulls off pacers. A total all-round batsman who keeps things simple,” he added.
Another nature that impressed Bhave is his earnestness. “He almost plays cricket as if it’s part of a 9 to 5 job, if you get the idea. In control, does his stuff, works hard, goes home. And comes back the next day to do the same! Very sincere and absolutely no airs about him,” Bhave says. “I have told him many times that this game has a great way of rewarding honesty and sincerity and he will get the rewards,” he added.
And, his hard work has seen him become one of the main members of CSK where he has scored 635 in 16 IPL games as well. With this, he can be a great prospect for India as well.
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