IPL: Knew it’s six as soon as I hit it – Ruturaj Gaikwad on last-ball maximum for century

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad said he knew the last ball would be on six as soon as he left his bat.

Gaikwad was on 95 when he finally got strike on the second last ball of the 20th over against the Rajasthan Royals.

While he misjudged the fifth delivery and missed it completely, he sent the last ball sailing over the leg side to reach his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) ton.

“I timed the ball really well, the short boundary on the leg side meant I knew it was six off the last ball,” said Gaikwad on Star Sports in the mid-innings break. Gaikwad started the last over on 95 and at the non-striker’s end. Ravindra Jadeja, who was at the other end, smashed 14 off the three balls with one wide between the second and third deliveries before taking a single off the fourth to give Gaikwad the strike. Gaikwad said he was not worried about reaching the century at that point.

“At the end of the day, team score matters. We were looking for 160, then i thought 170, then why not 180, and finally we got 190,” said Gaikwad.

It is the second time this season that the 24-year-old opener played through the innings and he smashed 71 off the last 30 deliveries he faced.

“I think the wicket was holding a bit initially, the fast bowlers were bowling really well. The plan was if I could bat till 13-14 overs, i could capitalise later. I’m looking to just time the ball and hold my shape, I wasn’t looking to hit big,” said Gaikwad.