Chennai: Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's brilliant unbeaten century and Shiv Dubey's ferocious half-century took Chennai Super Kings to 21 for four against Lucknow Super Giants here on Tuesday.
Gaikwad (108, 60b, 12x4, 3x6) and Dubey (66, 27b, 3x4, 7x6) added 104 runs for an entertaining fourth wicket, giving momentum to the Super Kings innings after the power play (49/2) and route.
CSK should mainly thank Gaikwad, who played an innings that was a connoisseur's delight after Ajinkya Rahane's early dismissal, for a total that was brilliantly dismissed by stumper KL Rahul off Matt Henry. Took a catch.
Batting in this edition of the IPL has been all about scorching the ball far and wide, but Gaikwad took a classic route and sent the ball through the gap for four.
In fact, there were no fours in his first half-century but he still managed to maintain a strike-rate above 180 during that phase.
The right-handed batsman's 17th half-century in the IPL came off just 28 balls.The most brilliant shot that Gaikwad played on the night was a slice-cut ball from Mohsin Khan that edged past the point fielder for four.
However, his focus was also on forming useful partnerships with his teammates as 45 runs were made with Daryl Mitchell, who replaced the out-of-touch Rachi Ravindra, and 52 runs were made with Ravindra Jadeja (17).
However, Mitchell (11), who was dismissed for four, and Jadeja both missed chances to play big innings.
While Gaikwad was the main contributor in those partnerships, the pressure took off a bit from Gaikwad's shoulders once Dube came to the crease.
The left-handed batsman played some powerful hits around the ground and, not surprisingly, hit the first six of CSK's innings in the 13th over off fast bowler Marcus Stoinis.Gaikwad soon hit the first six of his innings on the 45th ball, pulling Stoinis' half-tracker over mid-wicket.
However, Dubey effortlessly got into his six-hitting avatar and fast bowler Yas Thakur had to bear the brunt of it as the left-hander hit him for three consecutive sixes.
Gaikwad, who reached 99 runs by hitting a six over extra cover off Thakur's ball, completed his second IPL century by hitting a four on the next ball of the same bowler and scored 16 runs in the 18th over.
Gaikwad and Dubey completed 100 runs of their partnership in just 46 balls.
Dubey completed his half-century in 22 balls by hitting fours and sixes off consecutive balls from Mohsin as CSK conceded 71 runs in the last five overs.
Gaikwad (108, 60b, 12x4, 3x6) and Dubey (66, 27b, 3x4, 7x6) added 104 runs for an entertaining fourth wicket, giving momentum to the Super Kings innings after the power play (49/2) and route.
CSK should mainly thank Gaikwad, who played an innings that was a connoisseur's delight after Ajinkya Rahane's early dismissal, for a total that was brilliantly dismissed by stumper KL Rahul off Matt Henry. Took a catch.
Batting in this edition of the IPL has been all about scorching the ball far and wide, but Gaikwad took a classic route and sent the ball through the gap for four.
In fact, there were no fours in his first half-century but he still managed to maintain a strike-rate above 180 during that phase.
The right-handed batsman's 17th half-century in the IPL came off just 28 balls.The most brilliant shot that Gaikwad played on the night was a slice-cut ball from Mohsin Khan that edged past the point fielder for four.
However, his focus was also on forming useful partnerships with his teammates as 45 runs were made with Daryl Mitchell, who replaced the out-of-touch Rachi Ravindra, and 52 runs were made with Ravindra Jadeja (17).
However, Mitchell (11), who was dismissed for four, and Jadeja both missed chances to play big innings.
While Gaikwad was the main contributor in those partnerships, the pressure took off a bit from Gaikwad's shoulders once Dube came to the crease.
The left-handed batsman played some powerful hits around the ground and, not surprisingly, hit the first six of CSK's innings in the 13th over off fast bowler Marcus Stoinis.Gaikwad soon hit the first six of his innings on the 45th ball, pulling Stoinis' half-tracker over mid-wicket.
However, Dubey effortlessly got into his six-hitting avatar and fast bowler Yas Thakur had to bear the brunt of it as the left-hander hit him for three consecutive sixes.
Gaikwad, who reached 99 runs by hitting a six over extra cover off Thakur's ball, completed his second IPL century by hitting a four on the next ball of the same bowler and scored 16 runs in the 18th over.
Gaikwad and Dubey completed 100 runs of their partnership in just 46 balls.
Dubey completed his half-century in 22 balls by hitting fours and sixes off consecutive balls from Mohsin as CSK conceded 71 runs in the last five overs.
