DTVHINDI“The match was RR vs RR, Ruturaj Gaikwad was standing at the other end but doing nothing”- Aakash Chopra
Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that Ruturaj Gaikwad’s contribution during the first-wicket partnership with Rachin Ravindra in Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s IPL 2024 win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) was negligible. The left-handed New Zealand opener contributed 27 runs to the duo’s 32-run partnership. RR on Sunday, May 12 in Chennai csk A target of 142 runs was set in front of them. Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 42 off 41 balls as the hosts won by five wickets with 10 balls to spare and moved up to third place in the points table. Speaking about CSK’s run chase in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra admitted that initially the contest was only between Rajasthan Royals and Rachin Ravindra. Aakash Chopra spoke about the opening partnership of Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Aakash Chopra said, “When it was the turn of the run chase, it seemed that Chennai would look to win the match and improve their net rate a bit. He said that Rachin Ravindra will open and Ajinkya Rahane will not come – right decision. It looked like it was a RR vs RR match going on in the beginning – Rajasthan Royals vs Rachin Ravindra. The former Indian opener further said, “Ruturaj Gaikwad was standing at the other end but was not doing anything. Rachin was hitting fours and sixes and he was watching from the other end. So until Rachin Ravindra got out, the game was RR vs RR. However, Rachin was out. It was a short innings. He scored 27 runs in 18 balls. Ravindra was not only the key partner in that partnership but he also faced most of the balls during the first wicket partnership. When Rachin was out on the fourth ball of the fourth over, Gaikwad was playing after scoring three runs in four balls.
