Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann heaped rich praise on young Ruturaj Gaikwad, saying he cannot wait to see the 24-year-old batter get a place in India’s XI for the T20I series against New Zealand. Swann also revealed that former Australia batsman Mike Hussey had forecasted Gaikwad’s ‘gun batting’ years before the CSK batter’s IPL debut.

Gaikwad, who was the highest run-getter in Chennai Super Kings’ victorious IPL campaign, was included in the 16-member squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. The 24-year-old has carried his IPL form into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he is a top scorer for Maharashtra. Gaikwad has scored 259 runs, including three half-centuries in five matches. Ruturaj played two T20I matches for India in the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year.

“He has been absolutely incredible for CSK and he’s played some of the best knocks I’ve seen in the IPL. That 100 he scores in Abu Dhabi was just sensational. I’m glad that Gaikwad is in. Michael Hussey told me a couple of years ago ‘this guy is an absolute gun’. Just look out for him. This was before he had done anything magical. He is a 9 out of 10, a work in progress, but a seriously good player,” Swann said on Cricket.com.

Swann feels Shreyas Iyer has a point to prove, having experienced a topsy-turvy Indian career so far.

“Shreyas Iyer is a glorious man to watch bat. But he has had his ups and downs. He has had some incredible performances and then some weaker ones. He is an 8 for me but could well easily be a 10. He can get there one day. I love the fact that Gaikwad and Iyer can be in the top 4,” Swann added.