Chennai Super Kings is a big name in the world of franchise cricket. Ruturaj Gaikwad must have felt the weight of leading such a team. Gaikwad captained Chennai last season but couldn’t take the team to the playoffs. However, with another season ahead, the Chennai management continues to trust him. A significant part of Chennai’s success will depend on Ruturaj’s performance.

Ruturaj could be the key to Chennai Super Kings winning their sixth title. Not just with his captaincy, but his batting will also play a crucial role. As part of the top order, Ruturaj’s main responsibility is to make the most of the first powerplay.

Ruturaj’s Role in the Powerplay

Gayakwad can handle this responsibility with great skill. He has consistently batted at a strike rate of just over 126 in the first six overs of the IPL. Ruturaj has proven his ability to provide a stable start. He doesn’t rush but plays his shots confidently.

Supporting His Partner and Creating Opportunities

Ruturaj also creates opportunities for his partner at the other end to play freely. His calm approach gives confidence to any aggressive batter, encouraging them to continue while he holds down the other end.

Adaptability to Different Types of Bowling

One of Ruturaj’s biggest strengths is his ability to play both spin and pace fluently. He doesn’t have many weaknesses, making him adaptable to any role in the game. His strike rate increases significantly in the middle overs. So far, he has batted at a strike rate of 142 during the 7-15 overs period.

Dominating the Middle Overs

His focus is on building on his great start with strike rotation. Since spinners bowl most of the middle overs, Ruturaj isn’t afraid to take them on. He can determine the course of the match during this phase.

Taking on Extra Responsibility

This time, however, Ruturaj will need to take on extra responsibility. Chennai lacks a true finisher, and the brilliance of MS Dhoni has faded. This means Ruturaj will need to play longer innings. Once set, he is a tough batter to bowl to in the death overs. He must focus on extending his innings without altering his approach too much.

Ruturaj’s Performance in the Death Overs

Ruturaj has batted in the death overs during 17 innings and has maintained a strike rate of over 172 in those innings. His ability to survive until the end could be a key factor in Chennai’s success. Now, it remains to be seen how Ruturaj handles the pressure of leading Chennai and carrying the team to success.