IPL 2021: Ruturaj Gaikwad is in KL Rahul category, says Brian Lara

Legendary cricketer Brian Lara hailed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad as a player who had earned the right to be compared to none other than Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper KL Rahul. Gaikwad scored a century in CSK’s IPL 2021 league encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday, impressing one and all with his prowess. The opener helped the Chennai-based franchise post a competitive total which seemed unlikely at one stage.

“Yeah, he could have been 135 if he had got more strike in the end overs. But it was a complete show of batsmanship. That’s what I like about him, seeing how he put that innings together, how he surged in the second half of the innings. He was just tremendous to watch,” said Lara in an interaction with Star Sports.

“He shows that you can play good cricket shots and still score big runs. And that’s what I am proud of as a batsman. It was just remarkable and unbelievable. I will put him now in the KL Rahul category,” he added.

Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar was similarly full of praise for the young opener, hailing his performances in IPL 2021.

“He took a little bit of time to get his first 30 runs and after that, he just took off. For me, he has been the find for CSK in the last season and a half. He is improving with every game. He is carrying their batting at the moment. Needed 6 off the last two balls. He misses one and hits the last one, it’s incredible,” stated Agarkar.

“Working on timing the ball really well and trying to maintain my shape”

Ruturaj termed improved timing and greater emphasis on maintaining his shape as a major factor behind the ton.

“It was a slow wicket at the start and slightly damp, as the game progressed it got better. It was important for one of the batters to stay till the 14th or 15th over. I didn’t manage to do it in the last few games thankfully it happened today. I am working on timing the ball really well and trying to maintain my shape. It has worked for me for many years. Right from when I started playing cricket, I have relied on timing. Today also I relied on timing and thankfully it is coming off,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“My selection in the CSK team in 2019 where I didn’t get a chance to play, being in the dressing room I got to learn a lot. I got to know some routines, I got to know what hard work to go through, it was a very good learning curve for me. That one thing really helped me a lot. It was a dream, started really slow, didn’t dream of getting a hundred, aim was to get to a total of maybe 160-170. I like it (Orange Cap) but I would have loved to be on the winning side today,” added Ruturaj.