Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was at his absolute best against Gujarat Titans in the opening game of the Indian Premier League 2023. The 26-year-old slammed 92 runs off just 50 deliveries, with four boundaries and nine sixes with a whopping strike rate of 184, but his side ended up on the losing side.
The elegant right-hander could have become the second batsman to score a hundred in the season opener but failed to achieve this rare feat which was held only by legendary Brendon McCullum, who scored an exceptional century RCB in the season opener of the inaugural Indian Premier League 2008.
Gaikwad’s 92 is the third-best score in the season opener next to Bredon McCullum’s 158 and Rohit Sharma’s 98* against KKR in 2015.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s nine sixes were the second most by a CSK batter in an inning in IPL as the previous three players to achieve this record are stylish Indian opener Robin Uthappa, hard-hitting Brendon McCullum, and their batting coach Michael Hussey. Murali Vijay holds the record for hitting the most sixes for Chennai Super Kings in an inning where he hit 11 against Rajasthan Royals in 2010.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was the lone warrior for the four-time champions as he found no support from the other batters, as the rest of the batters just managed only 78 runs off 71 balls, Gaikwad missed out on a well-deserved century by 8 runs falling out Alzarri Joseph in the 18th over.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Will Do Wonders For Indian Cricket – Hardik Pandya
Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya believes Ruturaj Gaikwad has the potential to do wonders for the Indian team in the future. Indian all-rounder lavish praised Chennai Super Kings opener for his phenomenal knock in the opening game of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League.
“Some of the shots Rutu played was nothing to do with the bowling. He played some outrageous shots. Full credit to him for the way he batted and if he continues to do so, he will do wonders for Indian cricket. He has the game and I am sure when the time comes Indian cricket team will back him enough,” he said.
Hardik Pandya lauded Ruturaj Gaikwad for the kind of shots he played and credited him for the way he batted throughout the innings and reckoned that he would do wonders for the Men in blue when provided the opportunity. Chennai Super Kings will look to the stage when they take on Lucknow Super Giants on their home soil after three long years on April 2.