The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed another masterclass innings from Ruturaj Gaikwad as the in-form Chennai Super Kings captain played a pivotal role in his team’s competitive total against Punjab Kings. 

His classy 62 off 48 balls not only powered CSK to 162/7 on a tricky pitch but also took Gaikwad past Virat Kohli as the leading run-scorer of IPL 2024 so far.

Gaikwad Counters World Cup Snub with the Bat

Just a day after being omitted from India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, the 26-year-old Gaikwad responded emphatically with his willow. 

His fourth consecutive 50-plus score took his season tally to an imposing 508 runs in just 10 innings at a stellar average of 56.44.

Gaikwad has been in sublime touch, scoring 46, 67*, 108*, 98, and now 62 in his last five innings at his home ground in Chennai. His recent purple patch has seen him overtake the likes of Virat Kohli (500 runs), Sai Sudharsan (418), KL Rahul (406) and Rishabh Pant (398) as IPL 2024’s top run-getter so far.

A Model of Maturity on a Tough Surface

On a Chepauk pitch where batting wasn’t easy, Gaikwad played a mature innings of the highest quality. 

He initially rotated the strike and patiently put on 72 for the opening wicket with the experienced Ajinkya Rahane to give CSK a solid platform.

Even as CSK’s middle order stumbled after Rahane’s dismissal, the right-handed Gaikwad showed impressive game awareness to hold the innings together. 

He curbed his natural attacking instincts initially, scoring at a strike rate of under 105 through the first 16 overs.

The CSK skipper was batting on 45 off 42 balls at that stage, displaying fine judgment to absorb the pressure of wickets falling at the other end. His knock was a masterclass in pacing an innings on a challenging surface.

Gaikwad Cuts Loose in the Death Overs

It was only in the 17th over that Gaikwad decided to cut loose when PBKS captain Sam Curran erred in his lengths. Taking full toll of a front foot no-ball, Gaikwad smashed Curran for two massive sixes and a boundary to plunder 20 runs from the over.

He appeared to be on track for a longer innings until Arshdeep Singh bowled him for 62 in the 18th over for failing to make room across the line.

Gaikwad’s departure slowed CSK’s momentum in the death overs.

Tight PBKS Bowling Keeps CSK to 162/7

Though Gaikwad’s knock seemed to have CSK well set for 170+, some disciplined bowling from Rahul Chahar (1/28) and Arshdeep Singh (2/33) in the death overs prevented CSK from getting full value. 

Chahar was particularly impressive, conceding just 3 runs in the 19th over to keep the dangerous MS Dhoni quiet.

Dhoni did provide a late impetus with a typically innovative 14 off 11 balls. However, after Gaikwad and Rahane gave CSK a strong start, an alarming middle-order collapse saw them lose 4 wickets for just 23 runs between overs 11 and 16. This severely hindered their scoring momentum.

In the end, CSK could only muster 162/7 after being 139/3 in the 16th over. While a competitive total, it seemed slightly below par on a pitch where batting became easier in the second innings under lights.

World Cup Snub Fueling Gaikwad’s Hunger?

For Gaikwad, though, his rich vein of form has firmly rubber-stamped his status as one of the leading batters of this IPL season. 

His recent string of impressive scores came about after the national selectors inexplicably left him out of India’s World Cup plans.

The CSK talisman seems hungrier than ever to keep scoring heavily and pushing his case for an India comeback. With age on his side at 26, Gaikwad’s sublime timing, ability to construct long innings, and improved fitness make him a strong contender for future India calls if he can sustain this level of performance.

For CSK, their captain has undoubtedly been their batting talisman and match-winner in IPL 2024 so far. His scintillating strokeplay at the top of the order has repeatedly given them strong totals to defend against opposition lineups. 

Gaikwad’s response on the night showed he remains focused purely on scoring runs, using the World Cup snub as motivation rather than letting it impact his mind and game adversely.

The Information is Taken from India Today and News18