“No one is talking about him but they should” – Aakash Chopra on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s place in India’s T20 WC squad

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Ruturaj Gaikwad has put his name in contention for India’s T20 World Cup squad. Chopra believes no one is talking about the Chennai Super Kings’ captain but they should as he is putting in consistent performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024.

Gaikwad scored a fine knock of 108 runs off just 60 balls with the help of a dozen fours and three maximums against Lucknow Super Giants at Chennai on Tuesday. Thus, the CSK skipper helped his team post a par score of 210 runs on the board but his efforts went in vain as they lost by six wickets after Marcus Stoinis’ heroics.

Gaikwad, who got off to a slow start in IPL 2024, has amassed 349 runs in eight matches at an average of 58.17 and a strike rate of 142.45. The flamboyant batter is the second-highest run-getter of IPL 2024 after Virat Kohli.

“When Chennai got to bat first, Ruturaj scored a century. The question is whether he should be taken for the T20 World Cup. Think about it. No one is talking about him but they should. Why not? He recently scored a century against Australia and has also scored a century here. In fact, he is the first Chennai captain to score a hundred,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator hailed Gaikwad for his fine knock as he timed the ball to perfection.

“He was absolutely outstanding. Some things in cricket haven’t changed for 150 years. If you can drive well and your technique is good, playing the ball on its merit will never go out of fashion. Fashions will keep changing but this is retro. This will always be there and forever,” Chopra observed.

“He ran at a strike rate of 180. He played shots all around the park. He couldn’t have scored more runs than this. He couldn’t have taken the team to a bigger total as well. 230 wasn’t possible as that much dew wasn’t there at the start. The ball was getting slightly stuck at the start,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

Meanwhile, Shivam Dube continued his rich form as he smashed a whirlwind knock of 66 runs off just 27 balls. The southpaw has mustered 311 runs in eight matches at an outstanding strike rate of 169.95. Chopra wants the selectors to book Dube’s ticket for the T20 World Cup.

“Shivam Dube – I am saying book his ticket because he is batting differently. He hits spin. In fact, no one brings spin in front of him. Everyone is scared that Shivam has come and will hit. KL Rahul bowled only four overs of spin. He hit fast bowlers as well, hit them decently and very far as well,” he reasoned.

“He hit some balls so far that it seemed like they might have to be brought back with a taxi. Shivam Dube should be going to the West Indies without a shadow of doubt. 210 were scored, which is not bad. Dhoni came for one ball and hit a four,” Chopra added.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.