CSK’s youngster opens up on the recently concluded IPL season

Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK’s new young sensational batsman has come out and spoke about the experience at the one of the most consistent side’s dugout during the IPL.

 

He was part of the CSK side for two years now. He was expected to make debut from the first match of the IPL. But the youngster’s hopes were shook as he tested positive for the virus. The player wasn’t sure regarding the IPL taking place this year. But due to BCCI’s efforts, the IPL was conducted in the UAE after many provisions done by the BCCI and IPL committee.

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All the teams arrived in the UAE in August and started practicing after completing routine quarantine. The CSK side was already missing services of Raina and Harbhajan. So Gaikwad was expected to play from the first match. But he was tested positive for the virus. He was in isolation for two weeks and then was tested positive again. He was again in isolation for another two weeks before being testing negative.

He said it was a tough time in isolation. He said that his infection was asymptotic so he was doing all the things to distract him from negative thoughts. He said that all he did was watch TV shows and movies. He used to call his friends and family to get his mind right.

He said that MS and Hussey were crucial part of his stint at this year’s IPL.

MS always backed him and kept him saying that his batting was already good, all he needed to do now was focus on his health. He missed almost 30 days of practice. He finally saw his team mates after their match against MI . He said that it felt so good to talk to someone in person after so long. It is definitely different to talk on video call and to talk to someone in person. Everyone gathered around me patted on my back and made me feel at home.

The first match he played, the team was chasing a huge total of 217. He came to bat at No. 5 which is not his usual spot. He got out on the very first ball trying to hit it by stepping out. He was disappointed but said that it was needed at that moment. He said that he could have played a safe innings and saved his wicket but it would have been unfair to the team. He backed himself to hit it but just couldn’t. He then played against the DC where team was again chasing target of 175. He came in to bat with Faf. He got in a mix up with Faf and was ran out on a score of 5. The next match he played against MI he was out on a duck.

Boult trapped him infront of the stumps on the very first delivery. He was disappointed by that innings as he was playing on his usual spot that is the opening slot. He added that MS had a long chat with him after that match. MS said him that it’s okay, these things happen and now you don’t think about the results. He assured him that he will play all the three games. He should bat freely and that his game was all based on timing. He said that Hussey and MS were the best when he was struggling.

He scored three back to back math winning innings to take his team home.

He was relieved after these innings after his dry run with the bat. He is currently spending time with his family. He looks ahead to the next IPL season. He is now looking at improving his fitness which was affected heavily due to the 30 month isolation.

Ruturaj scored 204 in 6 matches he played at a strike rate of 120.72 and averaging impressive 51.