Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to impress with third consecutive half-century, knocks on selectors’ doors for NZ series

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad impresses – With a brilliant form in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad is knocking the doors of national selectors for New Zealand series this month. BCCI national selection committee is expected to announce the squad New Zealand tour of India after 8th November. Given the form he is in, Maharashtra skipper is likely to be in the radar of the national selectors and shall be closely monitoring him in SMAT 2021. Follow live updates on InsideSport. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad has displayed class and aggressive batting in this season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With three consecutive half-centuries in SMAT 2021, the 24-year-old has made best use of the opportunity to make national selectors to go for him for New Zealand series.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to impress with third consecutive half-century, knocks on selectors’ doors for NZ series

Also read: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021: Prabhsimran shines with brilliant century as Punjab beat Goa by 81 runs

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ruturaj impress with three consecutive half-centuries – In the opening match of SMAT 2021, Ruturaj Gaikwad played decent knock of 51 off 30 balls but in vain as Maharashtra lost to Tamil Nadu by just 12 runs. However, he led Maharashtra to two consecutive victories thereafter. Against Punjab on Friday, Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 80 runs off 54 to help the team chase the target of 138. On Saturday, Ruturaj scored yet another half-century, 81 runs off 47 balls, to post a commendable total of 183 against Odisha.

If Ruturaj Gaikwad continues his fine in SMAT 2021, it is very likely that BCCI selection committee might add him to the Indian squad for New Zealand series starting from 17th November 2021. Aggregating 212 runs from 3 matches so far in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Maharashtra captain is  currently the second highest run-scorer of the tournament behind K Ashwin Hebbar (221).

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to impress with third consecutive half-century, knocks on selectors’ doors for NZ series

Also read: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s knock powers Maharashtra to a convincing 7-wicket win over Punjab

Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to domestic cricket after brilliant IPL season

Ruturaj Gaikwad had emerged as a star player and hogged the limelight with an impressive season in IPL 2021. The 24-year-old Maharashtra batsman aggregated 635 runs and 16 matches and was awarded Orange Cap being the leading the run-scorer. Throughout the tournament, Ruturaj was making headlines with his impeccable batting. In this IPL season, he bought up his first IPL century, scoring 101 runs off 60 balls against Rajasthan Royals. Apart from that, he had scored seven half centuries.

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming was impressed with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s overall performance, saying “an absolute superstar”. Fleming said “He’s an absolute superstar already in my eyes. When we introduced him last year, people were a little bit critical, but we were keeping a tab on him, and had very high expectations. What we didn’t understand was the effect that COVID would have. We really felt for him during last year, and we were really delighted that he finished off the season so well”

Ruturaj Gaikwad credits Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni for giving him confidence ahead of IPL 2021 after shaky start to the IPL last year. He said “Mahi Bhai always helped me. I was not getting a run at the beginning of this time in IPL. I still did not lose confidence and regularly opened. The confidence that Mahi Bhai has placed in me has helped me”