Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI)
Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has found himself in the record books for the wrong reasons after scoring the slowest fifty of the 2026 Indian Premier League during a tough match against Gujarat Titans in Chepauk.Gaikwad’s half-century came off 49 balls, making it not only the slowest fifty of the current season but also the slowest in the Impact Sub era since 2023. The previous slowest this season was a 43-ball effort by Rishabh Pant against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad.
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IPL 50s slowest CSK In IPL53. P. Patil v. BBKS Chennai 201051 M Hayden v Mai Kabirha 200950m Vijay vs BBKS Mohali 201349m Vijay vs RR Jaipur 201349 D Smith v MI Wankhede 201449 R Gaikwad vs GT Chennai 2026The knock also places Gaikwad among the slowest fifties in CSK history, along with names like Parthiv Patel, Matthew Hayden and Murali Vijay. While an innings of 74 off 60 balls helped CSK reach 158 for 7, it reflected the broader struggles of the batting unit on the day.On a lively Chepauk surface that provided sharp bounce, Gujarat Titans’ bowlers dictated the terms early. Muhammad Siraj and
Kagiso Rabada
Sharp fouls and forced errors were drawn, reducing CSK to 28 for 3 in the Powerplay. The early collapse put Gaikwad into a rebuilding role, slowing the scoring rate dramatically.As wickets continued to fall, Gaikwad adopted a cautious approach, with dot balls piling up and CSK reaching just 50 in the 12th over. Although he eventually found some fluency with some late boundaries and sixes, late acceleration meant the innings never gained momentum.In a season dominated by high-scoring clashes, this knock stood out as a reminder that circumstances still dictate the tempo, and on this occasion, CSK failed to adapt in time.
