Dale Steyn heaps praises on this Indian youngster

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has heaped praises on opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian batter recently scored his maiden T20I fifty against South Africa in the third game. In the first two games, he was struggling to make an impact. However, in the third game, the right-hander scored 57 off 36 balls including seven fours and two sixes against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje etc.

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Speaking on the same, Steyn has said that the 25-year-old has looked good with the bat in the last couple of years. The former South Africa pacer pointed out that when a player opens the batting in the Indian T20 League, they face the best of bowlers.

“He has looked really good in the last two years. He was Chennai’s highest run-scorer the year before (2021), and he is a quality player. When you are opening the batting in the Indian T20 League, you are generally coming up against the best bowlers in the world, whether it is (Kagiso) Rabada or Lockie Ferguson, you can throw all the names in the hat, and he is up for it,” said Steyn on ESPNcricinfo.

The 38-year-old also spoke about the innings played by Gaikwad against the Proteas. The former said that the youngster had a bit of luck but otherwise, he looked amazing. The Phalaborwa-born player also said that the Maharashtra player can hit good balls for boundaries as well.

“A little bit of luck, but you create your own luck. He (Gaikwad) just looked amazing. He looked so good, looked in control. No worries when it comes to pace and no issues with spin, and he reads the game really well. He bats in the similar vein in which KL Rahul bats. He can hit your good balls for fours too,” added Steyn.

India will play the Temba Bavuma-led side for the fourth T20I in Rajkot on June 14. The hosts will be looking to level the series while the Green Brigade will look to take an unassailable lead.