IPL 2021 | Stephen Fleming lauds Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad was sensational in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Blazing his way through to a 75 off just 44 deliveries, Gaikwad helped CSK extend their winning streak to five and the two-time IPL champions are now on top of the table.

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming was all praise for the young batsman who went on to win the Man of the Match award. The former New Zealand coach considers Gaikwad very efficient and somebody who has a ‘simple game plan’.

“To be honest, he is really self-sufficient. He is really low-key. We have got some players who bat for a long time. He is really efficient with what he does. He has got a strong purpose about what he needs to do. He is simple in his game plan. The batting is anything but simplistic, but his method and the way he trains is really refreshing. He knows his ability, and he keeps it very simple. We can’t speak more highly of him,” said the CSK coach.

Gaikwad scored his second half-century in three matches. Fleming went on to describe him as a ‘fine Indian talent.’

“We have rated him (highly) for a long time. One of the setbacks he was having with COVID last year created a little bit of delay in (us) introducing him at the right spot. But now, he is there and has established himself. He is a fine Indian talent. We are really excited about having him and what he is doing for us,” Stephen Fleming added.

CSK’s openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf Du Plessis have been in brilliant form over the last few matches. They added 129 runs for the first wicket tonight and prior to that, they had shared a 115-run stand against Kolkata Knight Riders and a partnership of 74 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“I am very happy with the way in which Faf (du Plessis) and Ruturaj (Gaikwad) are playing. The way in which they are doing it is very pleasing. It is easy on the eye; it is somewhat low risk, and it is very effective up to this point. There is still pressure; it is not as if pressure goes away, but confidence grows. We were just hoping that Rutu (Ruturaj) would find some form and get a score because we had not doubt over how good he is. So yeah, we are very happy with that opening partnership. No doubt about that,” Fleming concluded.