Rituraj Gaikwad, the young batsman who helped Chennai Super Kings to a stunning victory in IPL-13 for the second consecutive half-century, is being praised all around.
Kolkata on Thursday challenged 173 runs in front of Chennai in the match played at Dubai International Stadium. Rituraj scored 72 runs with the help of six fours and two sixes from 53 balls to win the team.
While Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has described Gaikwad as one of the most talented players in the Indian domestic circuit, the legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar had predicted Gaikwad even before the match started. Sachin said that Gaikwad is made for long innings.
"I have not seen much of him but of what I saw he has an excellent bat swing and great temperament. At no stage, he looked like he would slog. He played proper cricketing shots and improvised. When a batsman starts playing proper cricket shots, lofting the ball over cover or mid-wicket or straight down over bowler's head, he is deemed to play long innings," said Tendulkar in a youtube video posted before the game.
"I have a feeling that he'll open again and because of his technique and temperament, MS Dhoni will show confidence in him," added Tendulkar.