‘RAINA-esque performance’ – Netizens buzz as Ruturaj Gaikwad slams vital fifty in Qualifier 1

Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo source: BCCI/IPL)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad carved out a majestic fifty during the Qualifier 1 match against Gujarat Titans (GT). Impressively, the CSK opener notched up his fourth half-century in all four meetings against the defending champions.

Notably, the two heavyweights have squared off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23.

Upon winning the toss, Titans’ skipper Hardik Pandya put the home team to bat first. What followed was a rather delicate start by the opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and explosive southpaw Devon Conway.

During the second over of the contest, Darshan Nalkande, who made his debut in the ongoing IPL 2023, nearly got the prized scalp of Gaikwad.

Darshan bowled a length ball upon which Gaikwad spooned it to mid-wicket only to find Shubman Gill. However, a no-ball due to overstepping handed Gaikwad another life in the crucial clash at Chepauk.

From thereon, the flamboyant right-hander got the required big runs and did bulk of the scoring in the powerplay.

The batter registered his fifty off 36 balls which featured six fours and one maximum to keep CSK steady in the contest.

Gaikwad, who is relishing a decent campaign with the bat, notched up his fourth half-century of the ongoing season.

On the other hand, Conway kept rotating strike so as to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, Gujarat’s seasoned pacer Mohit Sharma landed the first blow as he drew curtains on Gaikwad’s majestic innings.

The CSK opener was holed out to David Miller at long-on and sent packing for a score of 60 runs off 44 balls. In 15 appearances, the batter has collected 564 runs at a solid average of 43.38 and is in the running for the IPL Orange Cap.

It is worth mentioning that the yellow outfit have never triumphed over Gujarat Titans in any of their three meetings thus far in the top-tier league. MS Dhoni and Co. will be gunning to avoid a fourth straight defeat at the hands of the defending champions and look to seal a spot in the summit clash of the event.

Here is how Twitter buzzed with Gaikwad’s fifty in Qualifier 1: