According to Stephen Fleming, head coach of the Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad has demonstrated a great deal of consistency in his decision-making, much of which can be credited to his return to form as a batter.
After a terrible run in the first half of the 2026 IPL, Gaikwad has now scored 74 not out and 67 not out in his last two games, and CSK has won three of their last five games to stay in sixth place in the standings.
“Yeah, he’s getting better each game. It was a bit of a slow start as we were trying to form the bowling patterns at different grounds as we played away for the first couple of games. But the last few games he’s been excellent,” Fleming was quoted as saying by PTI after CSK beat Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets on Saturday.
The coach of CSK over the previous eighteen seasons believed that Gaikwad’s strong batting performance had also given him more self-assurance as a captain.
“One of the key things that helps your captaincy is batting well. And he’s found a bit of form in the last two games. And that’s, I think, coincided with some good decision-making. So managing those two and being positive about both if one’s not working well is really important,” Fleming said.
He acknowledged that Gaikwad, the batter, was under pressure because he hadn’t scored more than 30 runs in his first 7 games.
“So he (Gaikwad) was under a lot of pressure. More so with the bat, but also it flows into questioning some of the captaincy,” Fleming added.
Kartik Sharma, a young cricketer valued at almost Rs 14 crore, answered admirably with an undefeated half-century in a 160-run chase, and Fleming was pleased that they could make the most of an Impact Player by bringing him in at the ideal moment.
“We knew there was going to be more than two or three overs of bounce and seam. So using the impact player in a positive way by getting a batter up early rather than waiting until 8 or 9 was different. But if he’s going to make an impact, he’s better than get him in there if it’s going to be tough.”
Kartik, who didn’t make much of an impression in the first few games, dominated the MI bowling and even hit Hardik Pandya for a big six.
“He’s a fine player and he was expensive in the auction because others see that as well. And tonight it was good to see the temperament as well as the skill on show. And he will just get better and better.
“So it’s a nice spot (No. 4) for him. And the timing was right. So we’re really pleased and proud of what he did today,” Fleming added.
