Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 101 off 60 balls helped Chennai Super Kings score 189/4 batting first against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi. In the process, he now is the Orange Cap holder with over 500 runs for the season. Chennai, courtesy of his knock has now scored the highest total batting first. The Royals now have a daunting task of chasing 190 which will be the most in this season if successfully chased.
After scoring four consecutive fifties in the first four games, Ruturaj Gaikwad finally scored his maiden IPL ton. This is also the first century by any player in the UAE leg of this IPL season. The CSK opener had a watchful start to his innings scoring 30odd in his first 30 balls.
In his next 30 balls, he increased his strike rate and took a liking to the Royals’ bowling attack. He was severe against the likes of Aakash Singh and Mustafizur Rahaman.
Ravindra Jadeja Added 55 off 22 Balls With Ruturaj Gaikwad
Along with Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja’sinnings was a killer blow to the side. The southpaw scored 32 off 15 balls and was involved in a 55 run partnership coming in just 22 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja in 20th over in IPL 2021:
19 balls
64 runs
3 X 4s
7 X 6s
SR 336.84
The last ball six brought a joy on your face and ours too. Well done champ on your maiden 💯 in @IPL #RuturajGaikwad #CSKvRR #IPL2021
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 2, 2021
Last year a zero v RR and this year his first 100. That’s what sport does to the devotee: well done @ChennaiIPL and @msdhoni for backing #RuturajGaikwad
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 2, 2021
Wow just wow. #RuturajGaikwad 💯
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 2, 2021
Remember the name.#RuturajGaikwad.
Special player, made for greater things. Matter of time before he dominates World Cricket. #CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/XPp69w9tgE— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj is a special player…a very special player. Incredible talent. And temperament. #CSK #RRvCSK
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 2, 2021
You've deserved this, Ruturaj. Well played.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad's acceleration through the middle overs is so good. Sign of class. He is ready to play at a higher level.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj said "At the end of the day, team score matters, individual score doesn't matters until unless your team is winning. I was happy to see Jadeja scoring the runs at the other end".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj to Dhoni, after finishing innings with a six pic.twitter.com/thFxwlQreT
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 2, 2021
The feeling is so magical. Ruturaj Gaikwad getting that 💯. It’s simply worth a stand and applause for this talented player @ChennaiIPL #IPL2021 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj 🔥🔥🔥. What a knock and what a player👏👏 #csk #CSKvsRR
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been remarkable this season, with his positive approach, quality of strokeplay and consistency. 👏👏 Stiff target for #RR, #CSK firm favourites
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 2, 2021
Gaikwad was a happy bloke after getting his maiden IPL ton. He was on 95 for the first five balls of the final over and smacked a six off the final ball to get to his landmark as the Fizz went for 51 off his spell.
“The wicket was holding up a bit initially, they started off well in the powerplay. My plan was to bat till the 13th or 14th over, so that I could capitalize on it later. I’m just looking to time the ball and maintain my shape. At the end of the day the team score matters. Individual score doesn’t matter, unless and until your team is winning. We were looking for 160, then I thought 170, 180 and finally we got 190. I had timed that ball well and it was the shorter boundary, so I knew it was going to be a six. We need to bowl well and execute our plans” said Gaikwad in the mid-innings break.