Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad became victim to a controversial call by the third umpire in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 opener against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT). Gaikwad who was in phenomenal touch at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad, faced a high full toss from Alzarri Joseph. Shubman Gill dived to his front running from long-on to take the catch but did not celebrate immediately. But the on-field umpires referred it upstairs and third umpire adjudged him out.
The incident took place in the 18th over. Gaikwad had just changed his bat. Joseph who was bowling his final over bowled a high full-toss which Gaikwad could not hit out of the park. To the naked eye, it looked like a no-ball. But replay showed that it was slightly below the waist.
The 26-year-old missed his second IPL century. He scored 92 runs from 50 deliveries despite wickets falling at regular intervals. He hit four fours and nine sixes. The number of maximums he hit is the joint second-most by a CSK batter in IPL history in an innings. Only Murali Vijay (11) has hit more sixes in an innings.
Gaikwad's 92 entered history books as it is the third-highest individual score by a batter in IPL season openers. Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Brendon McCullum is on top with unbeaten 158 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in inaugural IPL 2008 opener. He is followed by Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma who scored unbeaten 98 against KKR in IPL 2015.
Gaikwad's 92-run knock is also the highest individual score by a batter against GT. The previous best belonged to Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Jos Buttler who scored 46-ball 89 against GT in IPL 2022 qualifier 1 at the Eden Gardens.
Gaikwad missed his century but his scintillating knock helped CSK post a fighting total of 178/7 on the board. His impact was such that the second-highest score by a CSK batter in the innings was Moeen Ali's 17-ball 23.
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