In the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his impressive form by providing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with a fiery start in their match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Chepauk on Monday.
Gaikwad’s blistering knock of 57 off 31 deliveries was complemented by a solid performance from his opening partner, Devan Conway. The duo formed a formidable partnership, adding 110 runs in just 9.1 overs for the opening wicket.
Conway also contributed significantly with 47 runs off 29 balls, which included five boundaries and two sixes. This was in contrast to their previous game where Conway had failed to make an impact. In addition to Conway’s impressive performance, Shivam Dube also made a significant contribution by scoring 27 runs off 16 deliveries before being dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi, who took three wickets in his four overs.
In the previous game against defending champions Gujarat Titans, Dube’s slow batting had drawn criticism from fans. He had scored just 19 runs off 18 balls, with only one six. Initially, things looked the same for Dube on Monday as he managed only five runs off his first ten deliveries. However, he quickly changed gears and smashed 22 runs off the next five deliveries.
It all began with a six hit flat against seamer Yash Thakur, which was followed up with a commanding pull shot that resulted in a boundary. The momentum carried on into the next over, bowled by Bishnoi, as Dube smashed the young bowler for consecutive sixes. However, he mistimed a shot and ended up giving a catch to Mark Wood at short third-man.
Among the three sixes that Dube hit, one against Bishnoi was a powerful slog sweep towards mid-wicket, which traveled a whopping distance of 102 meters. This impressive hit has been the longest six of the current season so far.