Virender Sehwag hails centurion Ruturaj Gaikwad: ‘Special player, made for greater things’
Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad took the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 by storm on Saturday when he smashed the first hundred since the restart in an ongoing match against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi.
Gaikwad brought up his maiden IPL hundred with a six off the final delivery of CSK’s innings to end up with 101 not out off 60 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes.
The 24-year-old also became the first batsman to amass 500 runs highest run-scorer in the league this season and clinched the Orange Cap from Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul after going past KL Rahul’s tally of 489.
Gaikwad flaunted his elegant strokeplay that has been leaving the cricket fraternity in awe. Despite his slim figure, the CSK opener hit it big and playing just 14 dot balls in the innings.
The entire cricketing fraternity started celebrating Gaikwad’s first T20 hundred as soon as he reached triple figures with a maximum off the final ball delivered by Mustafizur Rahman.
“Remember the name. #RuturajGaikwad. Special player, made for greater things. Matter of time before he dominates World Cricket,” Virender Sehwag tweeted.
“Ruturaj and Jaddu returning back to the dressing room. What an innings,” Wasim Jaffer tweeted.
“Ruturaj shows that self belief can make you a game-changer without changing your game,” said Mohammad Kaif.
“Wow just wow. #RuturajGaikwad,” tweeted Irfan Pathan.
Gaikwad also became the 7th Chennai Super Kings batsman to get past 500 runs in an IPL season. Suresh Raina, who batted at No. 3 on Saturday, has done it 3 times for the 3-time IPL champions.
Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja’s 32 not out off 15 balls helped CSK reach 189 for 4 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by RR skipper Sanju Samson. This is the highest total by any team in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021.
