WATCH: Ashwin tries to be cheeky with Gaikwad; batter retorts with similar gesture
Ravichandran Ashwin plays a bag of tricks when things are not going his way, it could be cricketing things or non-cricketing. Not that it is anything new, cricketers over the years have done many things within their legal limitations to toy with the concentration of the batters, and on some occasions, it works better than we can imagine.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa registering some crucial runs at a quick pace, and the required rate was well within Chennai’s control in the run chase. This is when Ashwin, who was bowling the 9th over, did something cheeky. He ran in and swung his arm the way he usually does, but the off-spinner did not release the ball.
It brought a little chuckle in the commentary box and to top that effort, the CSK opener reciprocated in a similar style. As Ashwin came on to bowl, just as he was completing his run-up, the batter moved away. It takes some courage for a young cricketer like him to pep up a feisty gesture as he did, and it only shows that the coming generation of cricketers is really up for any contest possible.
Also Read: WATCH: Rishabh Pant hits ridiculous one-handed six; then tries one losing the bat
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been one of the best young talents this season, and has consistently chipped in with big scores. Even on this day of days, despite losing his trusted opening partner Faf du Plessis so early on in the innings, he kept going and completed a fifty. Besides his usual stuff, he also chipped in with some moments of cheekiness.
Here’s that face-off between Ashwin and Gaikwad
— No caption needed (@jabjabavas) October 10, 2021
The Delhi Capitals posted 172 runs with the bat, with half-centuries coming from Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. The Delhi Capitals skipper added a crucial 83-run partnership with Shimron Hetmyer, which propelled the side past the 170-mark. Pant completed his fifty right off the final ball of the innings and it was his 3rd fifty of this edition.