'Gaikwad has a bright future when it comes to Indian cricket' - Wasim Akram heaps praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad after another impressive IPL season

It would be fair to say that the IPL 2023 was the season of openers. Shubman Gill, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Devon Conway, among others, emerged as reliable openers for their respective franchises. Taking the same into consideration, Shubman Gill was the season's leading run-getter with 890 runs in 17 innings, including three hundreds and four half-centuries. 

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram hailed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, saying the 26-year-old possesses a bright future. Gaikwad concluded another successful season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 590 runs. Gaikwad scored a quickfire 26 in the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans, delivering his team an excellent start in the massive chase. Because of his consistently brilliant outcomes in the IPL and in domestic cricket, Akram believes Gaikwad is a promising prospect for India in the future.

Gaikwad has a bright future: Akram 

"He came up with an excellent performance under pressure. The plus with him is that he is physically very fit. He is a very good fielder and is young as well. Gaikwad has a bright future when it comes to Indian cricket as well as the franchises he plays for,” Wasim Akram said on Sportskeeda.

Gaikwad amassed 590 runs for CSK in the recently concluded IPL season, averaging 42.14. During the competition, he scored four half-centuries, propelling his team to triumph in several games. Gaikwad has 1797 runs in 52 matches for CSK, showcasing his consistency and ability to deliver at the highest level. Ruturaj has amassed 14 half-centuries in the IPL thus far along with a century and has scored runs at an average of 39.07. His overall strike rate in the cash-rich league has been 135.52.

Gaikwad has been replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal as a standby player in the Indian squad ahead of the World Test Championship final. He will be soon getting married to his long-time girlfriend Utkarsha Pawar. Due to his marriage, Ruturaj won't be travelling to England to be a part of the Indian team for the WTC final.