Ruturaj Gaikwad slams his fifth 50+ score in IPL 2024
Ruturaj Gaikwad once again led Chennai Super Kings from the front, this time against Punjab Kings in IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The CSK skipper smashed a 48-ball 62 on a spin-friendly track, with CSK reaching 162/7 in 20 overs. Gaikwad powered CSK after they were tottering on 107/4. Notably, Gaikwad now has five 50+ scores in his last six IPL innings.
A valuable knock from Gaikwad
Gaikwad added a 64-run opening stand with Ajinkya Rahane (8.1 overs) after PBKS put them in to bat. Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja also departed in quick succession as runs dried up. The PBKS spinners then choked CSK in the middle overs before Gaikwad broke the shackles. He took CSK past 140, smashing a 48-ball 62 (5 fours and 2 sixes).
Five fifty-plus scores
As mentioned, Gaikwad now has five 50+ scores in his last six IPL innings. His last six scores in ongoing edition reads 64, 98, 108*, 17, 69, and 67*. Earlier this season, he became the first player with an IPL ton as CSK skipper. He slammed an unbeaten 108(60) with the help of 12 fours and 3 sixes against Lucknow Super Giants.
Gaikwad takes Orange Cap from Virat Kohli
Gaikwad has overtaken Virat Kohli to become the leading run-scorer of IPL 2024. The former owns 509 runs from 10 games at an incredible average of 63.62 this season. The tally includes a strike rate of 146.68.
Over 2,300 runs in IPL
Earlier this season, Gaikwad became the fastest Indian to complete 2,000 runs in the IPL. Gaikwad, who made his IPL debut in 2020, took 57 innings to touch the 2,000-run landmark. He displaced KL Rahul (60 innings) as the fastest Indian to get the feat. Gaikwad now has 2,306 runs 62 IPL games at 42.70. The tally includes two tons.
Gaikwad races past 4,500 T20 runs
With his knock against PBKS, Gaikwad has raced past 4,500 runs in T20 cricket. He now has 4,544 runs from 132 T20s at an average of 40.21. The tally includes a strike rate of nearly 140. Overall, he owns six T20 tons.
