IPL 2024: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Stunning Century Propels CSK Past LSG

Ruturaj Gaikwad has continued to lead by example as the new CSK skipper took it upon himself to help his team out of trouble as he scored a brilliant century against Lucknow Supergiants in Chennai today. Gaekwad, who had a poor start to his season, struggling to find his form, has started firing on all cylinders with confidence, with two fifties in the last three outings. The skipper then topped it all off with one of the captain’s best knocks, scoring a brilliant century with 12 fours and 3 sixes in just 56 balls. CSK started on the back foot after losing Ajinkya Rahane in the very first over of their innings to a brilliant ball from Matt Henry.

But, the early jitters did little to deter Gaikwad, who went on the attack from the other end, taking on the LSG pacers with confidence and getting boundaries at will. In fact, his 37* off 19 balls is his second highest score in the Powerplay in the IPL, behind his 46* off 20 balls against the same team at the same venue last year. After a quick partnership with Daryl Mitchell and Ravindra Jadeja ended, the skipper went on offense with his trusted middle-order hard-hitter Shivam Dubey, as the pair terrorized the LSG bowlers to keep their side in contention. Gaikwad, for all his aggressiveness, played a controlled innings, preferring to play spaces and finding fours with ease early on.

It was then, finally, in the 15th over, when Ruturraj hit a Matt Stoinis delivery to clear the boundary and hit the first six of the innings. Gaekwad also completed his century with a smoking six down deep extra cover and a sensational drive off Yash Thakur to find the boundary again. There was no stopping the Dubey-Gaikwad duo, not even the skipper himself, as he pushed the innings so that the likes of Dubey could also have his share.