Ruturaj Gaikwad Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar to Achieve Massive Feat in IPL, Leaves MS Dhoni Impressed

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad on Saturday set Wankhede Stadium ablaze with his ferocious batting against Mumbai Indians (MI). He fired 69 runs off 40 deliveries, smashing 5 sixes and as many boundaries during his stay in the middle. While his strokeplay even impressed the legendary MS Dhoni, the 27-year-old batter completed 2000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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Gaikwad reached the feat in 57 innings, surpassing the likes of KL Rahul and Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar to become the third-fastest to 2000 IPL runs in the tournament history. While Tendulkar achieved it in 63 innings, Rahul took 60 innings to be there.

‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle was the fastest batter to score 2000 runs in IPL, taking 48 innings to reach the milestone while DC all-rounder Shaun Marsh (52 innings) is second on the tally.

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Fastest to 2,000 IPL runs (by innings taken)

48 – Chris Gayle

52 – Shaun Marsh

57 – Ruturaj Gaikwad

60 – KL Rahul

63 – Sachin Tendulkar

MS Dhoni is awe of Ruturaj Gaikwad

Gaikwad played his shots across the Wankhede Stadium, and one of his massive sixes impressed former CSK skipper MS Dhoni. As the broadcaster’s camera panned towards the dressing room, Dhoni’s gestures were enough to explain that he was left impressed with Gaikwad’s fireworks.

Shivam Dube and Gaikwad milked 90 runs off a mere 45 balls for the third wicket, giving Chennai innings steam in the initial and middle passages of the play before Dhoni mesmerized a packed Wankhede with vintage shot-making.

The former CSK skipper hammered three consecutive sixes off MI skipper Hardik Pandya (2/43) to help his side collect 26 runs off the final over. Dhoni’s stunning knock – which had the balls sailing over long-off, wide long-on and deep square leg – also pushed Chennai past the 200-run mark, which did appear tough until that final over.

Dhoni’s ballistic 4-ball 20 garnished forceful fifties by Dube and Gaikwad as Chennai Super Kings powered to a strong 206 for 4.

(With PTI Inputs)