Ruturaj Gaikwad: CSK's 'Arjuna' who refuses to attack
Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of Chennai Super Kings, has been criticized for his low strike rate during IPL 2026. Despite the team's need for acceleration, Gaikwad has consistently slowed down the innings, finishing with one of the lowest strike rates among openers. His performance raises questions about his approach to batting in a rapidly evolving game.
- ▪Gaikwad has the lowest strike rate among batters who faced at least 100 balls in the powerplay this season.
- ▪In a recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored 15 runs off 21 balls without hitting a boundary.
- ▪His fellow opener, Sanju Samson, scored 27 runs off 13 balls, highlighting the contrast in their batting styles.
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