Brad Hogg, the former Australian spinner, has made a big claim, predicting that rising IPL star Ruturaj Gaikwad will be opening for India in Tests in the near future. According to former spinner Brad Hogg, the young Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener has got the ability to succeed in the longer version of the game.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has had an exceptional Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign. Opening the innings for CSK, he has smashed 603 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 137.35. Heading into the final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, he needs 24 more runs to go past KL Rahul (626) and claim the Orange Cap.
Brad Hogg: Ruturaj Gaikwad Has Got The Technique Of A Test Opener
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg lavished praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad and predicted a bright future for him as a Test opener. Ruturaj Gaikwad has played 21 first-class matches amassing 1349 runs at an average of 38.54 with 4 tons.
He said: “Gaikwad is really rising in stature. It won’t be too long before, I think, we will see him opening at the Test level. I think he has got the technique for it.”
The 24-year-old smashed his maiden IPL ton against Rajasthan Royals (RR) when he blasted an unbeaten 101 off 60 balls. Ruturaj Gaikwad was also the Player of the Match in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing IPL 2021 against Delhi Capitals (DC). His 50-ball 70 helped CSK chase down 173.
CSK will be looking up to Ruturaj Gaikwad for another big performance in the IPL 2021 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The youngster and Faf du Plessis (547 runs) have been key to CSK’s success in this year’s IPL.
In IPL 2020, Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed a hat-trick of half-centuries in the last three games to amass 204 runs averaging 51 in 6 games after scoring 5 runs in the first 3 outings. He scored unbeaten 65, 72, and unbeaten 62 as CSK won the last 3 games but finished 7th. He has totalled 807 runs averaging 47.47 in 21 IPL games for CSK in 2020 and 2021. His figures in IPL 2021 include a career-best 101* apart from scores of 70, 88*, 75 and 64.
Brad Hogg : Venkatesh Iyer Has Been The Find Of IPL 2021
Previewing the final between CSK and KKR in Dubai, Brad Hogg claimed that the big finale match could be decided on how the openers of the two teams perform in the powerplay. Like Ruturaj Gaikwad-Faf du Plessis, Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill have also done exceptionally well for KKR.
The former chinaman bowler elaborated: “It’s going to be a battle between the openers. Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis have been carrying CSK throughout this whole tournament. For KKR, Gill and Venkatesh Iyer have been awesome. Venkatesh Iyer has crept up the ladder of leading run-getters and he has only played in the UAE. He has been the big find of the tournament and has turned it around for KKR. Whoever dominates the powerplay between these two teams will end up winning the game for their team.”