Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming (Credits: Twitter)

Head Coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Stephen Fleming heaped praises for Ruturaj Gaikwad after his match-winning half-century against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the find for CSK this season. Gaikwad’s solid opening display, along with Sam Curran‘s all-round show and Ravindra Jadeja’s death batting are the positives that CSK will take in what has been a lacklustre season for the three-time champions.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad [Photo-CSK/Twitter]
The right-hander, however, didn’t have an ideal start to his IPL career as he was dismissed for single-digit scores in his first three innings. But the Pune lad showcased his talent and temperament with two back-to-back fifties in winning cause against Bangalore and Kolkata.

A lot of power for a small guy: Stephen Fleming

IPL 2020: He Has Shown Us That He’s The Right Player - Stephen Fleming Impressed With Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad [Photo-Twitter]
Stephen Fleming talked about the change of plans CSK had to do because Gaikwad was tested positive for Covid-19 before the tournament commenced. He said that Gaikwad has to miss out on the pre-season and was available after a few weeks.

Stephen Fleming had the opener in his plans at the start of the tournament but has to alter it. Fleming is happy that Gaikwad has cashed on his opportunities in the last two games, and he is proved that he is the right player for the yellow army.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Stephen Fleming said, “He has done well in the last couple of games. We’re happy that he’s taken the opportunity. We look back at the missed opportunities when he got COVID-19. He missed out the pre-season, he came back after about 4-5 weeks in isolation.”

“We tried to get him involved but he was a long way from being ready. So we’re just happy now to create the opportunity and he has shown us that he’s the right player.”

IPL 2020: He Has Shown Us That He’s The Right Player - Stephen Fleming Impressed With Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad [Photo-Twitter]
The former Kiwi skipper also observed that Gaikwad has got brilliant timing and is a very fluent player which allows the right-hander to find the gaps. Fleming took notice of the 23-year-old in the nets in Chennai and was impressed by the youngster’s talent.

“He has got lovely timing, a very fluent player. It allows him to hit the ball in the gaps, a lot of power for a small guy. His net sessions in Chennai before we arrived here were outstanding and we’re disappointed that he had to miss the first two or three weeks with us,” the head coach added.

CSK are out of the tournament but have given their fans something to cheer about in their last two games. They will play their last match on Sunday afternoon against Kings XI Punjab in Abu Dhabi. Chennai would like to finish on a high, while it is a must-win game for Punjab.

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