IPL 2021: Just Want To Keep Performing Each And Every Match, Say Man Of The Match Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had rightly backed their opener Ruturaj Gaikwad despite his failures to score runs at the start of the IPL 2021. After scoring 18, 5, 5, and 10 in the first four matches of the tournament, Ruturaj has gained form by making 65, 33, and 75 in his last three matches including this one.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were asked to bowl by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain David Warner who won the toss at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on April 28, 2021. CSK bowlers were on the top of their game and were well assisted by the fielders who threw themselves around to save valuable runs and keep Warner and Manish Pandey in check.

Despite Warner’s 57 and Pandey’s 61, SRH managed just 171/3, that too with Kane Williamson’s quick-fire 26*. Lungi Ngidi picked two wickets, while Sam Curran got the wicket of Jonny Bairstow, for just 7 runs.

The chase proved to be quite easy as Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with Faf du Plessis added 129 runs in just under 13 overs to give CSK a great start on a tough pitch to bat on. Du Plessis made 56 in 38 balls with 6 fours and 1 six, but Ruturaj carried his good form and made 75 in 44 balls with 12 fours. This is also his highest score in IPL thus far.

He took on SRH’s premier bowler Rashid Khan as soon as he was brought into the attack. Ruturaj looked confident both against Rashid and SRH pacers and continue to hammer boundaries. He was later named Man of the Match for his innings, which helped CSK win the match by 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare.

Means A Lot (His Highest IPL Score): Ruturaj Gaikwad

Gaikwad who turned out to be quite a find for CSK late in the IPL 2020, where he struck three consecutive half-centuries, was preferred over the more experienced Robin Uthappa to open the batting in IPL 2021 for the team with Faf du Plessis.

And he has repaid this faith nicely as the CSK team now sits pretty at the top of the points table with five wins in 6 matches for them.

“Means a lot (his highest IPL score). Little bit disappointed couldn’t finish it well. Think it was little bit two paced, little bit low bounce. Scoring big shots was difficult. It was all about how you hit gaps and hit over the fielders. Just planned who is the better bowler on this surface, who is not. One or two bowlers had a bit of an off day, cashed in on them. Just want to keep performing each and every match,” Ruturaj said after getting the Man of the Match award.

CSK next face rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 1 in Delhi.

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