Former India wicketkeeper-batter Ambati Rayudu heaped praise on his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad. Rayudu reckons Gaikwad to be MS Dhoni's successor in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the captain of the team. He also lauded his batting skills, saying he should be groomed by Indian Team Management. Notably, Ruturaj is set to lead the Indian team at the Asian Games in 2023.
In addition, he has led Maharashtra in domestic cricket and Puneri Bappa in the Maharashtra Premier League 2023 (MPL 2023). The right-hand batter scored more than 500 runs during Chennai's title-winning season in 2023. Chennai is looking for a new captain as MS Dhoni nears the conclusion of his career. Ravindra Jadeja tried, but it failed spectacularly in 2022.
Speaking about the same, Rayudu said, "I have no clue; I just hope that Mahi bhai captains." Further speaking with Behind Wood TV, he said, "In the future, Ruturaj has a great chance and has leadership qualities in him. So if Mahi bhai grooms him, he can lead the team for seven, eight, or ten years at a stretch. He is in good hands with Mahi Bhai and Fleming (Stephen Fleming). He understands the system well, and he is a very, very down-to-earth, calm guy."
Will Ben Stokes be CSK's new skipper?
Apart from Ruturaj Gaikwad, England Test skipper Ben Stokes is another name for the leadership role of CSK. However, it's very unlikely that the team will pick up an overseas skipper. Meanwhile, Ruturaj has a great opportunity to prove his abilities by leading the Indian team in the Asian Games in 2023. Ruturaj will lead a young pack of players in Taiwan and would hope to get back with the biggest prize.
India's squad for the Asian Games 2023:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and Arshdeep Singh
Here is how fans reacted to Ambati Rayudu's comments:
Why do franchise players only praise (for india team selection) and put the spotlight on their team colleagues only, there's talent in other teams too.
— Dino Marino (@DinooMarino) July 22, 2023
Reason for it is Still Rohit is there and Gill Jaiswal are ahead of him In terms of Chances and Kishan also still in mix but For me Gill Gaikwad Jaiswal these 3 players surely will be core in coming years But I like ODI & T20I teams to be different coz of Many Players
— Shariff (@Godlin1929) July 22, 2023
He can't play international cricket pic.twitter.com/YwAkkLGerK
— 𝘿𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙝 𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙡 (@screwgauge77) July 22, 2023
But bcci wanna do him just like they did to rayudu. Play all these flat track frauds like ishan and gill just to end up choking in major tournaments.
— Koushik Reddy (@Kowshik04616113) July 22, 2023
Shreyas, Ruturaj, Yash dhull all three have some good leadership qualities and skills.
— Niteee`shhhh (@NiteeshR18) July 22, 2023
W Ambati Rayudu 🤩🤩🤩...
— Kunal Bishwal (@KunalBishwal18) July 22, 2023
He knows the pain , how it feels when you are better than many but cheap politics don't let you to play for country consistently....
Most important water boy in all 3 formats For Shubman
— Aarav Mavi (@AaravMavi14) July 22, 2023
Ye has alot of potential but bcci is just wasting 🥲
— peer haseeb (@haseebpeer6) July 22, 2023
— Sonu singh.bnb (@sonu04768025) July 22, 2023
He knows the pain... pic.twitter.com/9tjNceReTj
— Nabab 🇮🇳 (@iNabab7) July 22, 2023
Never ! Gill and Jaiswal pair is best.
— Foresight (@MForesight1) July 22, 2023