Chennai Super Kings batting sensation Ruturaj Gaikwad on Friday surpassed KL Rahul to become the leading run-getter of IPL 2021. Gaikwad was 24 runs short of overtaking Rahul, who has scored 626 runs, and the CSK opener ensured he would walk away with the Orange Cap going at the top of the list. Faf du Plessis finished a close second, only two runs behind.
With this, Gaikwad registered an impressive record. At 24 years and 257 days, Gaikwad became the youngest to win an Orange Cap finishing his IPL 2021 tally with 635 runs. Third on the list is Gaikwad's opening partner du Plessis, with 633, followed by Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals with 587 runs.
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Gaikwad and du Plessis added yet another fifty-run stand in the IPL – seventh of the season and three in three against KKR. Gaikwad and du Plessis provided CSK a brisk start and added 61 runs on eight overs before Sunil Narine broke through. Gaikwad tried to give the charge to Narine but holed out at long off with Shivam Mavi taking the catch.
But while it seemed that Gaikwad would walk away comfortably with the Orange Cap, du Plessis went about his business. The CSK batsman peeled off his sixth half-century of the season off 35 balls and almost batted through the innings.
{{/usCountry}}But while it seemed that Gaikwad would walk away comfortably with the Orange Cap, du Plessis went about his business. The CSK batsman peeled off his sixth half-century of the season off 35 balls and almost batted through the innings.
{{/usCountry}}For a moment, it seemed as if du Plessis would end the tournament with his maiden Orange Cap, but the CSK opener, having scored a brilliant 86 off 59 balls, including seven fours and three sixes perished last ball of the innings to hole out to Venkatesh Iyer at long-on.
CSK finished on a strong total of 192/3, setting KKR 193 to win their third IPL title. Du Plessis was the top-scorer, while Moeen Ali contributed with a quick-fire 37 not out off 20 balls with two fours and three sixes.