Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has urged Ruturaj Gaikwad to show intent against Gujarat Titans on Thursday. Gaikwad has scored his runs at a strike rate of 120.67 in the ongoing season, which is not good enough in a season where scores of 220 runs have become the norm.
The CSK skipper has scored 321 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.18 and thus has failed to lead from the front. Jaffer said Gaikwad just can’t rely that Sanju Samson will score runs at the top of the order.
Jaffer said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I think he needs to get into that attacking mode a little bit more. He just can’t rely that Sanju is going to score the bulk of the runs in the powerplay. He needs to show that intent. That intent then goes to the other batters.
The former Vidarbha batter reckons Urvil Patel must open the innings ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad if the latter can’t alter his sedate approach.
“And if he wants to bat like that (defensive), then I believe Urvil should open the batting. And he should bat No. 3 or maybe No. 4. Bat after powerplay and pace the innings accordingly. I want CSK to win to make it interesting.”
The former domestic giant added that in-form Sanju Samson will hold the key for CSK against GT. Samson has amassed 477 runs in 13 matches in the ongoing season.
Jaffer said, “I think Samson holds the key. I think the more times that he’s batted in the powerplay and then batted after that, CSK has done well. And he’s eventually got bigger runs. So, I feel, I don’t think he’s gonna tamper with his approach. He’s gonna go aggressive. If you get two or three down in the powerplay, CSK will be on the back foot. They have two batters they rely heavily on – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and even Urvil. I believe Sanju somehow needs to understand that and hopefully get through that power play.
“I am not saying he’s going to go defensive, but he needs to try and play more cricketing shots rather than look to slog as such because Rabada is bowling brilliantly, and so is Siraj. So, I just hope Samson has one of his good days, and then he sees through that powerplay.”
CSK will take on GT at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
