Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his fine form with a spectacular century as Chennai Super Kings scored an imposing 189/4 against Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Gaikwad struck as many as nine fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 101 off 60. He got his century off the last ball of the innings by hitting Mustafizur Rahman for six.
Live updates: IPL 2021 – Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
The right-hander was devastating against both pace and spin, finding the middle of the bat throughout and piercing the gaps to perfection.
Gaikwad’s sequence of scores since the resumption of IPL 2021 is 88, 38, 30, 45 and now 101 not out.
There hasn’t been a single failure so far and his partnership at the top of the order with South Africa’s Faf du Plessis has been the cornerstone of CSK’s good batting performance.
On Saturday, the duo added 47 for the first wicket while they had put on 71 against RCB, 74 against KKR and 75 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Here are reactions to Gaikwad’s epic knock on Saturday:
#IPL2021
— The Field (@thefield_in) October 2, 2021
An unforgettable moment for Ruturaj Gaikwad and #CSK fans. A 💯 of serious quality.
🎥 IPL pic.twitter.com/DhjWjiCfOf
9️⃣8️⃣ M
— Chennai Super Kings - Mask P😷du Whistle P🥳du! (@ChennaiIPL) October 2, 2021
1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣ M
1️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ M
R💛T💛RAJ GAIKW🦁W#WhistlePodu #Yellove #RRvCSK 💛🦁
#RRvCSK #IPL2021
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) October 2, 2021
At one point, Gaikwad had scored 32(31). He finished with 101(60). An innings of the highest quality. Stunning shots all over the park. He knows how to pick the gaps. Superb knock. pic.twitter.com/dZVhRjNbcx
Ruturaj Gaikwad is such a high class batter. Makes it look easy against both pace and spin. A finished product who you know has emerged after a thorough grind. This knock will be hard to forget.#IPL2021 #CSKvRR
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) October 2, 2021
You've deserved this, Ruturaj. Well played.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj 🔥🔥🔥. What a knock and what a player👏👏 #csk #CSKvsRR
— Mask up and take your vaccine🙏🙏🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj said "At the end of the day, team score matters, individual score doesn't matters until unless your team is winning. I was happy to see Jadeja scoring the runs at the other end".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 2, 2021
From 0, 5, 0 to 88*, 38, 40, 45, 101* in a matter of 15 innings, it's been quite a journey! pic.twitter.com/CCR4w4Kn6R
— Manya (@CSKian716) October 2, 2021
This is the first century by a Chennai Super Kings opener since Shane Watson's 117 in the 2018 final.#IPL2021 #RRvCSK
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad has plenty of fans in the Indian dressing room too. They considered him good enough to be part of the Test squad in England.
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad - the stars have aligned and how 💛
— SA (@Aravind_SA) October 2, 2021
Truly blessed his form right now. Such a delight to watch. Long may this last 🙏#CSKvsRR
Ruturaj is a special player…a very special player. Incredible talent. And temperament. #CSK #RRvCSK
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 2, 2021
Timely reminder that Ruturaj Gaikwad’s first three scores of IPL 2021 were 5, 5 & 10. Fleming was unequivocal that the franchise would support & back him.Since then 64, 33, 75, 4, 88*, 38, 40, 45 & 101* today. No team like CSK, no coach like Flem, no leader like Dhoni in the IPL!
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj and Jaddu returning back to the dressing room. What an innings @Ruutu1331 👏🏻 #RRvsCSK #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/aCRcVnrw5U
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 2, 2021
Sensational innings from this youngster.Last ball six was really incredible! 🔥🔥
— 𝑫𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒏𝒂 (@IamDimuth) October 2, 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad is a serious talent….#CSKvsRR #CSK #csk #IPL2021
The next decade's super star has emerged for @ChennaiIPL! What a knock @Ruutu1331 brilliant display all around the ground! #CSKvsRR #IPL2021
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) October 2, 2021
What was that 20th over! 🔥 death by sixes and fours ! @imjadeja
— Bhavna Balakrishnan (@Bhavna__B) October 2, 2021
What a freaking fantastic knock by @Ruutu1331 !! His first century in the @IPL certainly won’t be his last🌟🌟@ChennaiIPL you beauty! ❤️❤️❤️ #RRvsCSK #IPL2021
The feeling is so magical. Ruturaj Gaikwad getting that 💯. It’s simply worth a stand and applause for this talented player @ChennaiIPL #IPL2021 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 2, 2021
From no spark to providing fireworks. Fine innings from Ruturaj.
— It's A(c)LIVE 👻 🎃 (@_vanillawallah) October 2, 2021
What an innings Ruturaj Gaikwad, first ton by the guy. Clearly ruling this IPL by his bat! Congratulations Rutu.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) October 2, 2021