Mike Hussey Backs 'Under-Prepared' Ruturaj Gaikwad To Come Good In The Upcoming Games

Ruturaj Gaikwad hasn’t had the best of times ever since he has landed a foot in the United Arab Emirates. From testing positive for coronavirus and staying in isolation for an extended period of time to getting a last-minute call-up to feature in CSK’s second game against Rajasthan Royals to then getting out on a golden duck on his IPL debut, the talented youngster has seen it all in the past month or so.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was out stumped on the very first ball of his IPL career in the last game against the Royals but Mike Hussey, CSK’s batting coach, has thrown his weight behind the youngster, adding that he was a last-minute call-up and that he will do well in the upcoming games. Gaikwad was called-in as a last-minute replacement after Ambati Rayudu was ruled out of the game due to hamstring issues.

“I’m amazed at this young kid Ruturaj. I have obviously been in touch with him the whole time we have been here. He’s had a wretched start. Obviously testing positive to Covid, and then having to be moved away from the team hotel into another hotel. It must have really been hard on this young guy, who wants to get out and play some cricket,” Mike Hussey said in a video posted by CSK’s Twitter handle.

“He was a late caller, because Rayudu was a very late out for the match. So, he came in, and he had only had two net sessions, so we were all worried for him, thinking that he may be a little underdone,” he added.

‘He was always very calm’- Mike Hussey on Ruturaj Gaikwad

Mike Hussey is very impressed with Ruturaj Gaikwads temperament. The former Australian champion batsman heaped high praise on Gaikwad, adding that the youngster did not panic one bit and was pretty calm despite the last-minute call-up.

“But again, there was no stress, no panic. He just said I am going to go and enjoy it and have fun with it. I just think he [Ruturaj] has got a wonderful outlook on the game. Obviously it didn’t go his way. That’s the exuberance of youth.

“But he was always very calm and taking it all in his stride and very positive, and I just thought wow what an amazing kid to have that sort of an attitude. So you know he will be fine, and we will just get through this,” Hussey said.

CSK will lock horns with Delhi Capitals on Friday and it will be intriguing to see how Ruturaj Gaikwad responds with the bat following a forgettable debut against the Royals.

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