Ruturaj Gaikwad played two matches against Sri Lanka where he did not perform well but it helped him in smashing yet another fifty in the UAE in IPL 2021 as Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad played two matches in Sri Lanka before the IPL 2021. His performances in the two Twenty20 Internationals were not significant, scoring just 35 runs in the two games. But, the exposure to international cricket ensured Gaikwad had some game-time before the crucial encounter against the Mumbai Indians in Dubai. His calmness and ability to handle under the pressure came to the fore when Chennai Super Kings were in deep trouble.
Chennai Super Kings were in massive trouble at 24/4, with Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali falling for 0. When MS Dhoni promoted himself up the order, there was hope. However, he was dismissed cheaply for 3. Suresh Raina also fell for a low score, with Ambati Rayudu retiring hurt. But, Gaikwad stitched an 81-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja and he was well supported by Dwayne Bravo who hit 23 off seven balls.
Gaikwad smashed an unbeaten 88, which included nine fours and four sixes. The highlight of his knock was sweeping a low full toss from Jasprit Bumrah to the deep square leg fence for a last-ball six. The knock by Ruturaj earned him the Man of the Match award as Chennai Super Kings won by 20 runs against the Mumbai Indians.
Speaking after the match, Gaikwad said, “Obviously one of my top innings till now. With the pressure of early wickets and with the seniors in the dressing room, I just had to grind and get the team to 130, 140 and then 150 was possible. When Mahi Bhai is around and with the CSK management, once they back you, you don’t have to think much. The SL tour and the preparation coming here did help too. Initially, the ball was seaming and swinging so I had to take my chance against the spinners. Jaddu just came in and I had to take my chance and it came off well.”
Gaikwad hit three consecutive fifties during the fag end of IPL 2020 as Chennai Super Kings ended their disappointing campaign on a high. However, this was Gaikwad’s sixth fifty and in all instances, Chennai Super Kings have come out victorious. He joined Michael Hussey as the other player to have seen his first six fifties see in victories. Dwayne Bravo, who hit three big sixes off Trent Boult in the 19th over, hailed his knock as one of the best.
“He (Ruturaj) has been our star player end of last season and this season and he is a quality player. Played proper cricket shots and played till the end. He has an appetite for runs and it’s good to get over the line this game,” Bravo said.
Chennai Super Kings will now play a big match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah on September 24. With Virat Kohli announcing that the IPL 2021 will be his last as Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, the side will be determined to give him an IPL trophy that has eluded him. In the previous encounter between the two sides, it was a one-man show by Jadeja. He blasted 62 off 28 balls, which included 37 runs in one over bowled by Harshal Patel. The left-arm spinner then took three wickets and a catch to dominate RCB.
However, in the match, all focus will be on Kohli. The Indian cricket team skipper announced that the ICC World T20 2021 will be his last as captain. With the announcement of him stepping down as captain ahead of the 2022 mega auction, it remains to be seen as to what his future is when it comes to Twenty20 cricket.
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