Ruturaj Gaikwad's Secret Return-From-Injury Weapon: Red-Ball Game

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-09-04 16:48:10 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-18 03:05:43

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The Chennai Super Kings opener credits a 'fluky' injury break and MS Dhoni's advice for his red-ball resurgence, saying he's put what he's learned into his T20 game.

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At 23, Ruturaj Gaikwad is poised for success. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener's stellar performance in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season 410 runs in 15 games, including six half-centuries cemented his place in the franchise's hall of fame. But it was his incredible 184 runs off 250 balls in the recent Duleep Trophy that has everyone talking. Now, Gaikwad credits his red-ball success to something unexpected.

During a recent interview, the Maharashtra batsman revealed that an untimely injury gave him time to reflect on his game and provided an unexpected boost to his red-ball practice. He also thanked Chennai Super Kings captain and mentor Mahendra Singh Dhoni for encouraging him to take advantage of his time on the sidelines and prepare for the Duleep Trophy.

"It (the injury) was kind of a fluky thing. When I started practicing, I used to bat for an hour and a half or two hours. The medical staff would say 'no, you can't bat this much'. But I used to anyway," Gaikwat told The Indian Express. "I started playing red-ball cricket with focus. I had some free time, so I used it as a preparation for the Duleep. That helped me a lot. I won't say it is 2.0 (because of) the injury it came much earlier."

Indeed, Gaikwad's stellar performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he helped West Zone secure the title, has impressed many. His technique, temperament, and focus have caught the eye of several cricket pundits and even former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who recently praised Gaikwat's discipline and grit on Twitter.

When asked about his impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, Gaikwat said he learned to adapt and showed confidence in his ability to pull it off.

"I wasn't scared of getting out. I was just confident that once I start, I'll get going," he said. "My mindset was simple I was trying to be proactive and not reactive. I was trying to take the innings deep, and if a seamer was bowling, I was trying to see off the first few overs and ensure the spinners were attacked later. "

Gaikwat's red-ball form could prove crucial for CSK's 2023 IPL campaign, with the batsman confident of continuing his purple patch in the T20 league.

"Whatever I have learned while playing red-ball cricket, I've put it into my T20 game. I feel the same pace of the game, the same tempo, and I'm not trying to hit the ball hard," he said.

"I have put in the work, and the results are showing. I want to continue this form, not only in the upcoming IPL but also for India 'A' and whatever opportunities are ahead going forward."

With unwavering determination and an impressive growth mindset, Ruturaj Gaikwad is poised to leave his mark on the cricket world.

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