Premier batter Ruturaj Gaikwad once again proved his T20 credentials in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. Leading the batting charge of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a match where MS Dhoni made his captaincy return, Gaikwad stole all the limelight by simply demolishing the Umran Malik-starrer pace attack of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). CSK opener Gaikwad was also lauded by former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri on Twitter.
Showering praise on the IPL 2021 Orange Cup winner, ex-India head coach Shastri pointed out Gaikwad’s ability to play fast bowlers like medium pacers. “So much to like about RG. Plays express pace like most do against medium pace. He will get there in time. No Doubts. Classy stuff tonite @Ruutu1331 @ChennaiIPL @IPL #SRHvsCSK #IPL2022,” Shastri said in his special tweet for the CSK superstar
Taking the SRH bowlers to the cleaners in the 46th match of the IPL 2022 on Sunday, opener Gaikwad played a match-winning knock of 99 off 57 balls. Gaikwad joined forces with New Zealand star Devon Conway as the CSK openers added 182 for the first wicket against SRH at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The 182-run stand between Gaikwad and Conway is also the highest opening partnership by CSK openers in the history of IPL.
While Gaikwad missed out on registering his first century of IPL 2022, Conway scored an unbeaten 85 off 55 balls to help CSK post a mammoth total of 202-2 in 20 overs. SRH pace ace Malik, who bowled the fastest delivery of IPL in the same contest, went wicketless and leaked 49 runs in 4 overs. Chasing the gigantic total at Pune, Kane Williamson-led SRH side managed to score 189-6 as the 2016 champions lost the match by 13 runs. CSK opener Gaikwad was named the Player of the Match for his batting heroics against the Hyderabad-based franchise.
