Veteran cricketer Robin Uthappa has supported Ruturaj Gaikwad to come good in international cricket ahead of the 3-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which gets ongoing on August 18 in Harare.
Gaikwad, who took the frat by storm with his performances in the IPL session, is yet to simulate the same in the international arena. He has ruled to secure only 135 runs in 9th T20Is at a paltry average of just over 16.
The Maharashtra player will be keen to present a case if given a chance in the 3-ODIs against Zimbabwe. Uthappa believes Gaikwad could be an all-format performer for India in the next if he gets a long rope.
Talking at a media interaction planned by Sony, Uthappa said:
“One has to understand that the IPL is one of the best tournaments in the world. But you also have to understand that Ruturaj is someone who has grown into each position. Even when he made his debut in the IPL, it took him a few games before he came into his own.”
We want Ruturaj Gaikwad in playing XI for 1st ODI match vs Zimbabwe#RuturajGaikwad #INDvsZIM
— Ramkrishna Bairagya (@RamkrishnaBai13) August 17, 2022
The wicket-keeper batter also said:
“Unfortunately with the Indian team he is not getting those number of games because he is a little bit of a feeler as far as a person is concerned. As far as being a person is concerned. He feels his way around things and he’s very attuned to his feelings.”
He added:
“Rutu is someone if he gets five games in a row, he is going to perform and then you will feel like here is a player who can play all three formats for the country and how do we invest in him.”
Gaikwad boasts a stellar List A record, securing 3284 runs in 64 games at an average of almost 55, including 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries.
“Sanju Samson would be a better bet” – Robin Uthappa selected India’s wicket-keeper for First ODI vs Zimbabwe
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All this & much more in this fun rapid-fire with @IamSanjuSamson, straight from Harare. 👌 👌 – By @ameyatilak #TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/IeidffhtMl
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2022
With Rishabh Pant relaxed for the ODIs against Zimbabwe, the next 3-matches will be a chance for Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson to stake a maintain on the 50-over side.
Uthappa backed Sanju to succeed in the playing XI ahead of Ishan, given the Kerala-born performer has been in the superlative form of late.
He said:
“Ideally, I think Sanju Samson would be a better bet. Also the kind of form he is in and I think just the way he has performed and the potential he has got. We used to talk about Sanju’s potential in the past and playing up to his potential.”
Uthappa added:
“In the recent past, we have seen whenever he has got an opportunity he has played to his potential. He needs to get a longer run and taking nothing away from Ishan, when Sanju gets a longer run you will definitely get a player for the future in him.”
Sanju has glanced in good touch in the series against the West Indies and will expect to build on that in the next series against Zimbabwe.