The much-awaited 16th edition of the Indian T20 League went underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium today. Defending champions Gujarat are taking on MS Dhoni’s Chennai in the season opener. Winning the toss, Gujarat’s captain Hardik Pandya decided to bowl first.
As reported by Simon Doull earlier, the pitch was a good one to bat on and Chennai’s opener Ruturaj Gaikwad made the most of it. The elegant batter looked in fine touch as he brought up the first half-century of the Indian T20 League 2023.
The defending champions, on the other hand, were able to get a few early wickets. In the third over, Mohammed Shami got the first wicket of Devon Conway, while Rashid Khan dismissed Moeen Ali, who looked to take him on, and Ben Stokes, who made his debut in the yellow jersey. Joshua Little, on his debut, also got the wicket of Ambati Rayudu.
Gaikwad, on the other hand, did not let the pressure of wickets get to him as he kept the boundaries in check. He never let his strike rate dip despite a few wickets falling at one end. He took on little after hitting him for a six on the first ball that he bowled in the cash-rich league. He didn’t stop there, as he continued to score regular boundaries against him.
However, much to the 26-year-old’s dismay, he could not complete his second century in the tournament. Alzarri Joseph got his wicket in the 18th over of the game with a full toss delivery that seemed to be dipping below Gaikwad‘s waist. He managed to score 92 runs in the 50 balls that he faced at the crease, including four boundaries and nine sixes.
Earlier in the day, Arijit Singh, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Rashmika Mandanna wowed the crowd at the tournament’s opening ceremony. Following the outstanding performances, the crowd was pumped for the season opener.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s innings
It's hurt Yrrrr 💔
— Abhishek Shelke (@Abhishek_1142) March 31, 2023
He literally deserves century 🥺🥺
— Being medico 🩺💊 (@being_medico___) March 31, 2023
Lovely job
— Pooja Bhansali (@pooja_deven) March 31, 2023
Another century missed 👏
— Rahul Kumar (@RahulKu75155697) March 31, 2023
Deserving hundred 🤣🤣🤣😂
— unknown user (@tamilan_jr) March 31, 2023
You're faster than the broadcast
— Prantik (@Pran__07) March 31, 2023
Missed a well deserved century.. Well played rutu.
— Sagar Dubey (@SagarDubey04) March 31, 2023
Great play, Just missed Century #Rutu #GTvCSK #IPL
— Jaikumar S (@Jaiharshan) March 31, 2023
Fair decision by umpire stopped him scoring this century.
— Factos (@I_say_factos) March 31, 2023
