Chennai-based franchise player, Ruturaj Gaikwad has expressed his excitement to play in front of a passionate Cheapuk crowd when the Indian T20 league returns to home and away format next year. Gaikwad couldn’t live up to the expectations for the franchise last year.
Due to the COVID outbreak, the 2020 Indian T20 league was restricted to a few venues. Since being part of this reputed franchise, Gaikwad has played a number of valuable knocks for them. The opener joined the Chennai-based franchise in 2019 before playing his first match for 2020.
Gaikwad was seen in India A colors against New Zealand a few days back and did a superb job. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, Gaikwad produced remarkable performances that stood out. He stood out in Indian T20 League 2021 with 635 runs from 14 matches with 1 century and 4 half-centuries including a career-best 101* against a Rajasthan-based franchise.
Gaikwad showed his skills for the Chennai-based franchise in 2022 with 368 runs to his name from 14 matches, including 3 half-centuries. The stylish right-handed batter from Maharashtra is eager to play in front of an electric Cheapuk crowd that would be probably giving Mahendra Singh Dhoni a farewell in what might be his final Indian T20 league match.
His ability to play elegant shots in front of pacers and spinners alike makes him a special batsman. Chennai-based franchise had a disappointing season last year as they failed to qualify for the playoff stage. Chennai-based franchise is the second most popular team with 4 titles after the Mumbai-based franchise with 5 titles. ‘
He would be looking to make a mark one more time during the Indian T20 league in 2023 and hope to bring the title. He has been a consistent performer for Maharashtra in domestic tournaments like Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
