MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad
MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The 25-year-old opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Maharashtra teammate, Azim Kazi, has stated that there are a few similarities between Gaikwad and the legendary India National Cricket Team captain MS Dhoni.

Gaikwad made his debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 under the leadership of Dhoni. In 2021, he had a breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League that helped him get into India’s scheme of things in white-ball cricket. The right-handed batter had scored 635 runs in IPL 2021 at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26, including one century and four half-centuries.

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MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni (PC-Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Dhoni paid a visit to Team Maharashtra when they were playing a game in Ranchi, as per The Indian Express. Talking about Dhoni’s interaction with Maharashtra players, Kazi said that when he saw Dhoni having a conversation he felt as if Gaikwad was speaking.

Actually, when Dhoni bhai was speaking, it literally felt like it was Gaikwad. The things he said, was similar to what Rutu has been telling us. Since he has been part of CSK, he has been able to interact with Dhoni bhai and he is passing to us, but for sure there are a few similarities. We all have read and heard how Dhoni bhai operates the team and that is what Gaikwad has been doing here,” Kazi told the Daily.

He has become our everything – Azim Kazi on Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. Credits: Twitter

Kazi further lavished praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad, saying that he is Maharashtra’s “everything” and added that the players are getting to learn plenty of new things from the 25-year-old.

“He has become our everything. We are getting to learn new things. He has changed the total set-up and how we prepare ourselves. We are together as a team even in the hotel. For instance, he has left his hotel room open at all times and we can go and seek his help for anything. If a player is struggling, he is the first one to point it out off the field and say how to rectify it. What is more impressive is his gameplan and how he has identified a role for everyone and uses us judiciously,” added Kazi.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
. Credits: IPL

Also Read: Watch: Ruturaj Gaikwad Smashes 7 Sixes In An Over In Vijay Hazare Trophy, Becomes First-ever Player In History To Achieve This Milestone

Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.