Chennai Super Kings South African export Faf Du Plessis has paid rich dividends for the club, scoring a wholesome 449 runs in his 13 games. The hard hitting protea however was all praise for youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad, following his recent run of form. The 35 year old showered the Maharashtra opener with praise, comparing him with team India skipper Virat Kohli, and said, “[Gaikwad] Looks like a young Kohli doesn’t he?”

Rituraj played a swashbuckling knock of 62, helping his team chase down a 154 run target against Kings XI Punjab. The 23-year-old stitched together a 82 run opening partnership with hard hitter Du Plessis, earning his praise.

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Gaikwad’s patient knock of 63 included 6 boundaries and one six and helped Chennai chase down the 153 run total with seven balls to spare.

Du Plessis was all praises for the youngster and said, “What stands out for me is that he stands up to pressure. That’s the quality you look for in young players to see if they get to the next level.” 

Gaikwad, who burst forth into the IPL scene riding his performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore, had a disastrous start to the tournament. Gaikward started for his team in the second and third game of the tournament but failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented to him. 

Gaikwad was then dropped following his poor run of form, as he scored just five runs from two matches. 

Having not played for more than a month Gaikwad made a return in Chennai’s match against Mumbai, but was removed for a duck.

Following three slips, Gaikwad capitalised on the opportunity presented to him against Royal Challengers Bangalore and scored a patient knock of 65, securing the man of the match award for his team.

His match winning performance accorded him a place in the squad for the next game and the 23-year-old continued with his fine form scoring 72 of 53 balls, a match winning knock that won him yet another Man of the Match trophy.

Gaikwad’s best however was saved for the last, as he scored a crucial 62 of 49 balls to hand his team their sixth victory for the tournament. His antics with the bat won him a third man of the match trophy on the trot.

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Gaikwad’s string of stellar shows had also earned him the praise of MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain had said, “Whenever we have seen Rutu bat, he’s somebody who has done well in net sessions. But we were not able to see him in games. Then he got Covid, and even after 20 days he was not fit. He didn’t get time for us to gauge…”