Former cricketer Suresh Raina and right-handed batter Ruturaj Gaikwad shared a heart-warming moment before Monday’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday, April 3 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Raina and Gaikwad caught up and shared a warm hug. The video of the camaraderie between the two players went viral on various social media platforms.

Raina is not a part of IPL teams anymore after last playing for the Super Kings back in 2021. Raina happens to be the leading run-scorer for the four-time IPL champions. The southpaw recently played for the Indore Knights in the Legends Cricket Trophy, which was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Ghaziabad. Raina is currently a part of the IPL commentary panel.

Conway lauds ‘special’ Gaikwad

Gaikwad has been in brilliant form in the ongoing edition of the IPL. The youngster is the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023, having racked up 149 runs from two matches at an average of 74.50 and a strike-rate of 183.95 with two half-centuries to show for his efforts.

Gaikwad scored 92 runs in CSK’s first match against Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans (GT), also the defending champions, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. His knock went in vain as CSK lost the match.

Gaikwad scored a 23-ball half-century against KL Rahul’s LSG and gave an account of his class. He also drew praises from Devon Conway for playing the masterful knock. Conway also shared a partnership of 110 runs along with Gaikwad for the opening wicket.

“The way Rutu played in that first six was pretty special and he took the pressure off me. He's sneaky strong. He times the ball and holds his shape really well, and he uses good bats,” Conway was quoted as saying during the innings break.