Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad was a bit upset after missing out on his century but expressed pride in helping his team beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 13 runs on Sunday, May 1. When the Indian Premier League (IPL) champions were sent to bat first, Gaikwad and Conway made a colossal opening-wicket stand of 182 runs in 17.5 overs.
After the openers came to the stage, the MS Dhoni-led Super Kings set up a challenging 203-run target for SRH to chase. Gaikwad, 25, also said that it was special for him to play in the presence of his loved ones at his home ground. The right-handed batsman scored 99 runs in 57 balls with the help of 6 fours and as many sixes before dismissing pacer T. Natarajan in the 18th over.
Gaikwad said in an interview with pacer Mukesh Choudhary after the match, “It is always special to score big on my home ground, but more importantly, I am happy because I have contributed to the team’s victory. “
“There was no pressure to perform in front of family and friends, but I wanted to make them proud. To do well in front of them is a big achievement. I was waiting for that moment and thankfully I did well.”
‘Happy to take pressure off Devon’
Pune-born Gaikwad also lauded Conway when the New Zealand batsman scored his maiden fifty in the T20 league. Left-handed Conway remained unbeaten on 85 off 55 balls with the help of eight fours and four sixes. Gaikwad said interacting with Conway off the field helped him understand his game better.
He said, ‘I enjoyed batting with Devon. I am happy for him as it was only his second match and he scored his first IPL fifty. We haven’t played together much, but we do spend a lot of time in our rooms. So, we got to know each other’s games, how we communicate and how we react to certain situations on the field,” he said.
“We already had off-field talks and thankfully we shared a good partnership. Getting out on 99 hurt me a bit, but I was happy that I was able to pick up the pace and take the pressure off Devon. Whether it is 99 or 100, winning the game is important,” Gaikwad said.
Ninth-placed Super Kings will next face Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the same venue on Wednesday, May 4.