Former India batter and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar feels that if Indian selectors are convinced about the talent and temperament of Ruturaj Gaikwad, they should pick him straightway in the national side.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the find of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The Chennai Super Kings opener was one of the main reasons for MS Dhoni-led side being dominant in the season and clinching their fourth IPL title.
The right-handed batsman scored a total of 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 39 and was a proud owner of the orange cap along with the emerging player of the season award.
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He on account of his domestic performances was rewarded the Indian cap during Sri Lanka’s tour earlier this year and former Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar recalled when Gaikwad came to his academy in Pune when he was 10 years old. He added that when he took his academy team to England, the young batsman scored big hundreds there at an age of 16.
“He came to our Pune academy when he was 10. We choose players for our academy (based on ability), we just don’t get everybody. So, he was one of those young players we chose because he had excellent skills. I also took him to England when he was around 16.
"I take my academy team to England every year to Lancashire. We play 10 matches every year. He scored hundreds in most of the games, and he scored big hundreds, the 160s, 170s,” Dilip Vengsarkar told Khaleej times.
Vengsarkar revealed how he had asked him to play 20 overs and work for a hundred which materialized in the match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals
"He was scoring the half centuries, so I sent a message to him and asked him to play 20 overs. I said, 'you would score a hundred and the team would score 200 if you play 20 overs. And that's what he did against Rajasthan Royals. He played 20 overs and scored a brilliant hundred. Chennai lost the match because Rajasthan played very well that day," he said.
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Dilip Vengsarkar concluded by saying that Ruturaj Gaikwad is mentally strong and selectors should pick him straightway in the Indian squad.
"He has the game and he is mentally strong. The selectors must give him an opportunity. When you pick a guy who is in form, it helps. He is also young. If the selectors are convinced about his talent and temperament, then he should be picked straight away,” he concluded.
With the sort of season he had in the IPL this year, he’s expected to be in the Indian squad for the jam-packed home season after the T20 World Cup.
(Khaleej Times inputs)
