Xtra Time Web Desk: It was a game to remember for Ruturaj Gaikwad as he bounced back to form in style in the ongoing IPL with a scintillating knock of 99 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MCA stadium in Pune on Sunday night. Incidentally it was also the first match for MS Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain this season in IPL. Ruturaj smashed 6 boundaries and an equal number of sixes in his 57-ball knock before he was caught at point by Bhuvneshwar Kumar off the bowling of Natarajan.
Ruturaj’s return to form will be appreciated by CSK who will be hoping to make it to the playoffs by winning all their remaining games. As for Ruturaj, he scored his second fifty in IPL 2022. The batter from Maharashtra will be deeply upset about missing his century. He became the sixth batter to miss a ton in the history of IPL.
The Chennai Super Kings opener also broke yet another milestone as he went on to become the joint-fastest man to reach 1000 runs in IPL. Ruturaj shares this great achievement with none other than Sachin Tendulkar. Both Ruturaj and Sachin Tendulkar have taken 31 innings to cross the 1000-run barrier in IPL.
Gaikwad, who had made his debut for CSK during IPL 2020, won the orange cap last season after 635 runs at an average of 45.35.