Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lauded batter Ruturaj Gaikwad in particular, praising his ability to play fast bowling.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway of Chennai put on a fantastic batting effort in Pune, putting on the season’s best stand of 182 runs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo: IPL)

Gaikwad, who hit 99 off 57 balls, was on fire, finding his run-scoring rhythm with wish strokes all over the field. The youthful batsman hit six sixes and as many fours before falling one run short of a well-deserved hundred.

Conway, Gaikwad’s starting companion, hit an undefeated 85 off 55 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, in only his second game of the season. While Conway provided stability to the innings, Gaikwad was on fire, reaching his half-century in just 33 deliveries.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo: IPL)

Gaikwad may have missed one run short of a century, but the right-handed batsman tied Sachin Tendulkar for the most runs in a single inning. Gaikwad has become the combined batsman to 1000 runs in IPL history, passing the famous Tendulkar in his 31st innings.

‘So much to like about Ruturaj Gaikwad’: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, praised Gaikwad in particular, claiming the CSK opening batsman plays “express” speed as if he’s playing a medium-pacer. Gaikwad was brilliant over Umran Malik, who picked up the speed but was eventually struck for a burst of boundaries by the batsman.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Credits: Twitter)

“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” tweeted Ravi Shastri.

CSK is currently in ninth place in the points standings, having won three of their nine matches thus far; however, if they can win all of their remaining league stage matches, they will meet all of the qualifications for the playoff games.

CSK’s next match is on May 4 in Pune versus Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Also Read: SRH vs CSK: After The Catch Was Dropped I Thought To Myself That I’ve To Take A Wicket – Mukesh Choudhary