Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image Credit: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming has said that the team will continue to back Ruturaj Gaikwad in spite of his poor batting show in IPL 2021 so far. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has not able to score big as an opener in three games so far, Robin Uthappa is waiting for his inclusion in the playing XI.

Uthappa, who became part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021, was benched in all the previous three matches of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021.

With the experience of playing in all the 13 editions of the Indian Premier League in the past, Robin Uthappa is a much-experienced player in comparison to Ruturaj Gaikwad and can definitely replace the latter as an opener. Gaikwad has only managed to score 5, 5, and 10 in the three matches he played in IPL 2021 so far.

Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming (Image Credit: Twitter)

We Will Continue To Back Ruturaj Gaikwad: Stephen Fleming

During the post-match conference after CSK vs RR match, CSK coach Stephen Fleming said that team will give Ruturaj Gaikwad a good amount of chances before making a decision.

“Ya, Robin Uthappa is waiting. But Ruturaj Gaikwad earned a bit of time with the way he played last season. You know our philosophy. We give players a good amount of chances in what they are trying to do.

“We will continue to back him. Then see and make a decision soon. At the moment, we are backing a good young player,” said Stephen Fleming.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image Credit: Twitter)

Last year in IPL 2020, Gaikwad scored 204 runs at an average of 51 for Chennai Super Kings. However, post-IPL 2020, his form has not been too great. In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, he scored 94 runs for Maharashtra at an average of 18.8.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021, he scored 182 runs at an average of 36.4. He smashed a century in one match but could not score big in the rest of the four games.

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On the other hand, Robin Uthappa has shown great form in recent domestic tournaments. He scored 377 runs at an average of 75.4 in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, Uthappa scored 161 runs at an average of 32.2.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have won 2 out of 3 matches in IPL 2021 so far. CSK will lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match.

Vikas Singh Derek has been working for Cricketaddictor since February 2021. He has written over 12,000 articles for Cricketaddictor. He is a sports writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience...