Ruturaj Gaikwad equals Sachin Tendulkar's massive record in the IPL against SRH

 It was also a historic match as MS Dhoni led the side for the first time this season. Devon Conway, who left the team for his marriage, joined the team and got the chance straight away to play in the playing XI. Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Conway took the crease to open. 

 However, both openers didn't have the season as per their standards because it was a do or die game for the defending champions, and that's how they started as well. Both openers took the time first of all and played with caution. And once both batters settled into the crease, they started playing their shots.

 In particular, Gaikwad took the aggressor role and looked at his absolute best. He smacked every bowler into every park in the stadium. In the process, he also scored his ninth IPL half-century in the 31st match. The right-hander played the way he played last season, when he won the "Orange Cap." He looked good to get his second career century in the IPL.

 He got out just one run short of a well deserved century. Gaikwad was dismissed for 99 off the bowling of Natarajan on the fifth ball of the 18th over. He scored 99 runs off just 57 balls, including six maximums and six boundaries. Notably, in his innings, he also equalled the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar for scoring the fastest 1000 IPL runs by an Indian.

The 25-year-old has now scored 1076 in 31 IPL matches at an average and strike rate of 39.85 and 133.00, including one century and nine half-centuries. Both CSK openers added 182 runs for the first wicket, which is the highest partnership for CSK in IPL history. CSK ended their first inning at 202/2, with Conway unbeaten on 85 off 55 balls, including four maximums and eight boundaries.