IPL 2023: “He is coming for Orange Cap” – Twitter explodes as Ruturaj Gaikwad plays a whirlwind knock in IPL opener

It is the new season of the Indian Premier League and what do you want the most? Any player would like to hit the ground running from the very first delivery. Ruturaj Gaikwad has exactly done that. The CSK opener took the opening game of the IPL 2023 by storm as he played a whirlwind knock of 92 runs off just 52 deliveries.

In the last three seasons, the 26-year-old batter has earned a reputation for being a slow starter. However, a different Ruturaj Gaikwad turned up in the IPL 2023 opener between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The opening batter looked assured from the very first delivery as he displayed a wide array of shots during his wonderful knock.

The wait is finally over as Indian Premier League 2023 gets underway with the game between CSK and GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday evening. Gujarat Titans’ skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and invited MS Dhoni & co. to bat first on a flat track. The veteran pacer Mohammad Shami justified the decision by knocking over Devon Conway in the 3rd over.

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However, his opening partner on the other end was in a different mood as Ruturaj Gaikwad took the attack to the opposition and showed his class. The Maharashtra batter kept hitting the boundaries at will as he reached his half-century in just 23 deliveries.

Ruturaj Gaikwad steals the show in the IPL 2023 opener

The right-handed batter didn’t flinch despite losing the wicket on the other end regularly. He looked in an imperious form as he maintained the attacking approach and run rate as well. Gaikwad missed out on a deserving century as he was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph in the 18th over of the CSK innings.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 92 runs off 50 deliveries before getting out, including four boundaries and nine classy maximums. The fans seemed mighty impressed with the CSK opener as they took to Twitter to praise the high-quality knock of the batter.

Check out the best of the reactions here:

Wow, Ruturaj Gaikwad is looking in very good touch. That punch through the off-side and now this square drive were exceptional

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2023

Looks like Ruturaj Gaekwad will do something special this season. He is In sublime form. #csk

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 31, 2023

What a start to the season opener by @Ruutu1331. Deserved a century. Splendid show that was no less than a hundred. #IPL2023 #GTvCSK

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) March 31, 2023

https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL/status/1641830968603586560

What a brilliant innings from Ruturaj Gaikwad, not convinced ball tracker had that right! #IPLonStar @IPL

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 31, 2023

First fifty of IPL 2023.

Fifty in just 23 balls by Ruturaj Gaikwad – Ruturaj has started with a bang! pic.twitter.com/NSApFBRS06

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 31, 2023

Thunderous knock by Gaikwad, hitting sixes like he was shooting peas! Unfortunate to miss a century, but has made a big impact, not just in this match, but also on national those who influence selection to the national team

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 31, 2023

Ruturaj Gaikwad … pushing and punishing the bowlers tonight #TATAIPL #GTvCSK. pic.twitter.com/kmlpENreov

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) March 31, 2023

End of that crazy knock of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Missed well deserved century. pic.twitter.com/aaQZoGOKwo

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) March 31, 2023

https://twitter.com/_FaridKhan/status/1641830961867378689

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