Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of India C, faced a sudden setback during the Duleep Trophy 2024 match against India B, as he retired hurt after scoring just one boundary on Day 1 of the game. The incident occurred at the Anantapur Cricket Ground, leaving fans and the team concerned about the extent of his injury.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Exits After Two Balls
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been in strong form, came out to open the batting alongside Sai Sudharsan after India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran won the toss and opted to field first. Gaikwad managed to hit a boundary early on but unexpectedly walked off the field after facing just two balls. The reason for his departure has not been confirmed yet, but his injury could be a major blow for India C, as Gaikwad is both their captain and a crucial top-order batsman.
Rajat Patidar Steps In
Following Gaikwad’s departure, Rajat Patidar replaced him at the crease to continue India C’s innings. Patidar’s early arrival to the middle wasn’t part of the initial plan, as the team would have hoped to rely on their captain for a significant contribution. Gaikwad’s leadership and batting skills have been essential to India C’s campaign, and the team will now be hoping that the injury does not keep him out of action for too long.
India C’s Adjustments for the Match
In this match, India C made notable changes to their playing XI, bringing in Ishan Kishan, Mayank Markande, and Sandeep Warrier in place of Aryan Juyal, Hrithik Shokeen, and Himanshu Chauhan. These adjustments were part of their strategy to build on the success of their opening match victory in the Duleep Trophy 2024. However, Gaikwad’s injury could disrupt their plans, as his experience and form have been key to India C’s strong start.
Gaikwad’s Recent Form
Gaikwad has been in impressive form leading up to this match. In the first game of the tournament, he played a significant knock, scoring a 46-ball 48 in the second innings against India D. His consistency at the top of the order has been one of the reasons for India C’s promising start in the competition.
Gaikwad’s National and IPL Career
Beyond the Duleep Trophy, Gaikwad has also made a name for himself on the national stage and in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK), succeeding the legendary MS Dhoni as captain for the upcoming seasons. Additionally, he has played 6 ODIs and 23 T20Is for India, boasting an average of 39.56 in T20 internationals with a strike rate of 143.54. Gaikwad’s best T20I performance came in November 2023, when he scored an unbeaten 123 against Australia in Guwahati.
Concerns for India C and Chennai Super Kings
As the Duleep Trophy progresses, India C will be hoping that Gaikwad’s injury does not sideline him for too long, especially given his role as captain. His availability is critical to their success in the tournament. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings will also be watching closely, as they rely heavily on Gaikwad’s leadership and batting for the IPL 2025.
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Gaikwad’s injury raises questions about how India C will handle his absence if he’s unable to return for the remainder of the tournament. The team’s reliance on his skills, both as a captain and a batsman, makes this a crucial development in the Duleep Trophy.
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