One would certainly feel for Ruturaj Gaikwad as despite his scintillating unbeaten century, which had class written all over it, he couldn’t end up on the winning side.

For the first time in this second leg, Rajasthan Royals’ batting didn’t fizzle out after a strong start by openers Evin Lewis (27) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (50) as they went on to give Chennai Super Kings a seven-wicket bashing at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. That too, in Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s 200th IPL match as captain.

Ruturaj’s breathtaking 101 not out and Ravindra Jadeja’s (32 not out) improvisation propelled the Super Kings, who were put in to bat, to a formidable total of 189/4. It seemed they were set to extend their lead at the top of the table. But the Royals openers had other ideas.

With the pitch getting easier for strokemaking as the game progressed, Lewis and Yashasvi hammered Sam Curran (returning in place of Dwayne Bravo) and Josh Hazlewood, as the Royals raced to 77 without loss in the first five overs of their run chase. Yashasvi was more aggressive, treating Hazlewood in particular with disdain and unleashing aerial strokes at will.

CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad exults after completing his century — the fourth in the tournament this season — on Saturday. (IPL)

By the end of the Powerplay, the Royals had lost both their openers, but Shivam Dube (one of Royals’ five replacements) cashed in on the opportunity and kept the momentum going with meaty blows to score a well-deserved 64 not out. He stitched together a rollicking 89 for the third wicket with captain Sanju Samson that helped the Royals clinch a vital win with 15 balls remaining.

The Royals, too, now are on 10 points from 12 matches, like Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Ruturaj, now the top run-getter (508 runs), will of course be a disappointed man after such an outcome. But the Super Kings shouldn’t be too upset with this loss as they have already qualified and also remain at the top.

Pitch Report

⚫ Best strike rate (30 or more runs): 238.09 Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)
⚫ Most fours: 9 Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
⚫ Most sixes: 5 Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
⚫ Best partnership: 89S. Samson/S. Dube (RR)
⚫ Most dot balls: 11 Shardul Thakur (CSK)
⚫ Most fours conceded: 7 Josh Hazlewood (CSK)
⚫ Most sixes conceded: 4 Mustafizur Rahman (RR)
⚫ Man of the Match: 101* off 60 balls Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)

Quick singles

⚫ The six that Ruturaj Gaikwad hit off Mustafizur Rahman to bring up his hundred on Saturday was the biggest of this IPL, measuring 108 metres. He also holds the Orange Cap currently with 508 runs from 12 games.
⚫ Shivam Dube’s 64 not out on Saturday was his highest score in the IPL.