In a surprising turn of events, Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of India C, had to retire hurt after playing just two balls during the Duleep Trophy match against India B. The incident took place at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur on Thursday. Gaikwad, known for his powerful batting, had to leave the field unexpectedly after facing an unfortunate injury.
Gaikwad Starts with a Four but Leaves Soon After
After India C was invited to bat first, Gaikwad opened the match with a confident four off the very first ball bowled by India B’s fast bowler, Mukesh Kumar. However, during the next ball, while attempting to steal a quick run, Gaikwad appeared to twist his ankle. This forced him to retire hurt and head back to the pavilion. His early exit was a shock to the spectators and team alike.
To keep the innings going, Rajat Patidar stepped in to join Sai Sudharsan at the crease and carry forward the momentum. Gaikwad’s injury raises concerns about his frequent injuries, as he has faced similar setbacks in recent times.
A History of Injuries for Gaikwad
This is not the first time Gaikwad has faced injury troubles. During the previous match in Anantapur, he led his team to a close victory over India D, scoring a quickfire 46 off 48 balls. Despite his stellar performance, his injury issues have been persistent. He was selected for India’s Test squad for the South Africa tour last December, but a finger injury kept him from participating.
Since making his first-class debut for Maharashtra in 2016, Gaikwad has been a consistent performer, amassing over 2000 runs with an impressive average of 42, including six centuries and ten half-centuries. His ongoing injury concerns, however, continue to be a challenge for the 27-year-old batsman.
India B and India C Squad Highlights
The match featured notable players from both sides. India B, captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, included players like Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Rahul Chahar. Meanwhile, Gaikwad’s India C side saw Sai Sudharsan, Mayank Markande, and Sandeep Warrier in action, making the match a highly anticipated clash in the Duleep Trophy tournament.
