CSK vs LSG: Ruturaj Gaikwad IPL 2023 form proves he can be new Mr Consistent

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Ruturaj Gaikwad has become a reliant face in the Chennai Super Kings line-up as the opener scored back-to-back half-centuries in the tournament in the opening two games. The 26-year-old Maharashtra cricketer notably scored a 50-ball 92 in the last game.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the lone warrior with the bat in the game as the batter didn't let the fall of the wicket at the other end distract him. The likes of Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, and Moeen Ali distract him as he put a price on his wicket. The batter smacked nine sixes and four boundaries during the course of his innings and missed out on a much-deserved century.

Ruturaj Gaikwad continued in the same vein against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. The right-handed batter welcomed the ardent Yellow army to the MA Chidambaram Stadium after a COVID-19-induced hiatus with a 25-ball 50, laced with four sixes and two boundaries.

Gaikwad eventually got out after scoring 57 as he miscued newly-introduced Ravi Bishnoi after going across the line and was grabbed at the short third man by Mark Wood. Gaikwad's innings helped CSK build the foundation for a strong total as he added 110 runs for the opening wicket with Conway (47).

Ruturaj Gaikwad's innings again raise the question of why the opener is not part of the Indian team yet. Something that bothers former Indian opener Virender Sehwag as well.

"It is not about scoring fifties, what he does it he converts those into hundreds," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. "That is what makes him special. When he had scored runs for CSK, two seasons back, he had scored a century as well.

Sehwag further added that if he continues batting the way he is at the IPL 2023, he will surely be a regular feature in the Indian team.

"But I was surprised he didn't get more opportunities to play for India because when others get the chance and then they perform, he will have to wait more. If this season goes well, then he may not have to wait long for India return. I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad is the ideal successor of MS Dhoni for the captaincy of CSK," he said.