Ruturaj Gaikwad focused on winning IPL with CSK

PUNE: The last time Ruturaj Gaikwad landed in UAE, he tested positive for the Covid-19. Almost a year later, he goes there with a positive mindset of clinching the IPL title with Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Some members of the team reached Dubai last week to prepare for the remainder of the tournament starting on September 19.
Keeping unintended puns aside, from an India 'A' regular to India international, the career graph of the stylish Pune opener has taken off between those two flights.
After a golden duck on IPL debut as a middle order batsman and a slow start, he went on to score three consecutive match-winning fifties. He was named full-time captain of Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy domestic one-dayers and also led the team in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 in the last two group games.
A graduate of Verroc Vengsarkar Academy in Thergaon, Gaikwad has now set his eyes on the IPL trophy.
"It has been three years since we won the IPL title and I am focused on helping CSK reclaim it. The team has shown faith in my abilities and I must give my 110% to contribute towards the team's success," said the 24-year-old top-order batsman.
Before the second Covid-19 wave halted IPL, Ruturaj had scored 196 runs in seven games. (Highest: 75; SR: 129; 50s: 2). Since the fag end of IPL last season, he has done an admirable job of filling up the boots of Australian Shane Watson as an opening partner of former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis.
"Communication and trust are foundations of partnership with Faf. We understand each other's game well and we always discuss it all in the middle - whether any of us are struggling, how the conditions are playing out, the target, etc - and we trust each other's assessment," Gaikwad said about the former Proteas skipper.
Last month, Gaikwad made his India debut in a T20 series against Sri Lanka, another high point of his career. Although Covid outbreaks in both camps stole the headlines, it does not take away the joy of donning the India colours.
"I will forever remember it. It ended in two days and we did not win (referring to playing on consecutive days), I lived every moment of it. A dream come true. It struck me that I want to go out there, again and again, keep performing for the team," he said.
"I've spent a couple of years with Rahul (Dravid) sir during my India 'A' days and his theory has always been the same: 'Think and adapt'.
"Even when we were left with five batters, he assured us that we were all there on merit and asked us to make the most of the opportunity," Gaikwad added.
The Punekar might not have made telling contributions in Sri Lanka, but seems to possess the talent and temperament to make it count at the highest level.
The rest of the IPL campaign with MS Dhoni's highly experienced outfit CSK is part of the process.