CSK vs RCB: Sanjay Manjrekar Defends Ruturaj Gaikwad
IPL 2022: Cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar has come in defense of Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Gaikwad has been quite a poor form this season as he has only managed scores of 0,1,1 and 16 from 4 innings.
He Was No One Season Wonder: Sanjay Manjrekar
After a disastrous start to his IPL career in 2020, Ruturaj Gaikwad turned things around in the last 3 matches that season as he scored 3 consecutive 50s at the top of the order.
Then in CSK’s title-winning season last year, he was the orange cup winner as he amassed 635 runs with 4 50s and a century to his name.
His exploits in the IPL also earned him a call-up to the Indian team. But his recent returns for CSK have raised several questions marks over his form.
But Manjrekar still backs the youngster.
“See, Ruturaj Gaikwad has displayed a lot of capability. It’s not like he scored in just one or two innings. In the two seasons he played at the top of the order for CSK, he grew into a very successful T20 batter. He used to look like a first-class or Ranji Trophy player before that. He got to play for India as well. So you should give such players more time because they have shown long-term form. He deserves the long rope”, Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
Manjrekar also gave his opinion on Ambati Rayudu who too is struggling for runs this season, he said: “Ambati Rayudu hasn’t fired yet and it’s a matter of time (before he does). Last year he was CSK’s most successful ageing player. Once he’s back in form, then the atmosphere will change a bit… But these things will happen – Ruturaj Gaikwad will come back to form and we’ll see Ambati Rayudu’s contributions.”
CSK doesn’t really have much choice in their reserves as well if the likes of Rayudu don’t fire anytime soon. They have N Jagdeeshan and Hari Nishant but both of them are top-order batters for their domestic sides.
Manjrekar was critical of Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling yet again as he said that he won’t bank on Jadeja for 4 overs if he was the captain. This isn’t the first time Manjrekar has taken a dig at Jadeja the bowler.
