Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad took the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 by storm on Saturday as he smashed the first hundred since the restart in the ongoing match against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi.

Gaikwad brought up his maiden IPL hundred with a six off the final delivery of CSK’s innings to end up with 101 not out off 60 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes.

The 24-year-old also became the first batsman to amass 500 runs highest run-scorer in the league this season and clinched the Orange Cap from Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul after going past KL Rahul’s tally of 489.

RR vs CSK, IPL 2021: Match 47 Live Updates

Gaikwad flaunted his elegant strokeplay that has been leaving the cricket fraternity in awe. Despite his slim figure, the CSK opener hit it big and playing just 14 dot balls in the innings.

That moment when @Ruutu1331 completed his maiden #VIVOIPL !

TAKE. A. BOW! #VIVOIPL | #RRvCSK | @ChennaiIPL

Scorecard https://t.co/jo6AKQBhuK pic.twitter.com/nRS830RvK8

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 2, 2021

The entire cricketing fraternity started celebrating Gaikwad’s first T20 hundred as soon as he reached triple figures with a maximum off the final ball delivered by Mustafizur Rahman.

“Remember the name. #RuturajGaikwad. Special player, made for greater things. Matter of time before he dominates World Cricket,” Virender Sehwag tweeted.

“Ruturaj and Jaddu returning back to the dressing room. What an innings,” Wasim Jaffer tweeted.

“Ruturaj shows that self belief can make you a game-changer without changing your game,” said Mohammad Kaif.

“Wow just wow. #RuturajGaikwad,” tweeted Irfan Pathan.

Remember the name.#RuturajGaikwad.
Special player, made for greater things. Matter of time before he dominates World Cricket. #CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/XPp69w9tgE

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 2, 2021

Ruturaj and Jaddu returning back to the dressing room. What an innings @Ruutu1331 #RRvsCSK #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/aCRcVnrw5U

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 2, 2021

Ruturaj shows that self belief can make you a game-changer without changing your game. @Ruutu1331 #CSKvsRR

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 2, 2021

Wow just wow. #RuturajGaikwad

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 2, 2021

Gaikwad also became the 7th Chennai Super Kings batsman to get past 500 runs in an IPL season. Suresh Raina, who batted at No. 3 on Saturday, has done it 3 times for the 3-time IPL champions.

Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja’s 32 not out off 15 balls helped CSK reach 189 for 4 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by RR skipper Sanju Samson. This is the highest total by any team in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021.