India's star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has rapidly gained recognition for his exceptional talent. His consistent performances in domestic cricket, international matches, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) have solidified his position as one of the most promising young batters in the country.
Beyond his cricketing prowess, Gaikwad enjoys a massive fan base. This was evident during a recent Duleep Trophy match between India C and India D, held in Ananthpur. As Gaikwad was fielding on Day 2 of the match on September 6, a passionate fan ran onto the field, breaching the security, to touch his feet, expressing their admiration and respect for the batter. Images of this heartwarming gesture quickly circulated online, highlighting the immense love and support Gaikwad receives from his fans.
Fan evades security to touch Ruturaj Gaikwad's feet
Ruturaj Gaikwad's immense popularity can be attributed in large part to his association with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Having been a part of the franchise for several years, Gaikwad has had the opportunity to learn from the legendary MS Dhoni, whose mentorship has significantly shaped his career. Last year, Gaikwad took on the mantle of captaincy for Chennai Super Kings, following in Dhoni's footsteps. Despite the team's failure to qualify for the playoffs, Gaikwad's leadership was met with unwavering support from the fans. In the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2023 match between India C and India D, Gaikwad unfortunately struggled with the bat. Opening the innings, he contributed only 5 runs from 19 deliveries, including one boundary.
ALSO READ: 46-yr-old batting legend set to replace Gautam Gambhir as KKR mentor in IPL 2025: Reports
India C's struggles in the Duleep Trophy
India C faced a challenging batting display in their response to India D's 164 runs, being dismissed for a total of 168. Regular wickets fell throughout the innings, as India C's bowlers dominated the pitch, which favored their bowling attack. Baba Indrajith emerged as a standout performer, scoring a crucial half-century (72) and providing much-needed stability to the innings. Abishek Porel's 34-run partnership with Indrajith ensured that India C crossed the 100-run mark. Harshit Rana impressed with a four-wicket haul, while Axar Patel and Saransh Jain each claimed two wickets. Arshdeep Singh and Aditya Thakare also contributed to the bowling effort with one wicket apiece. With India C facing a deficit, Gaikwad now has the opportunity to make a significant impact in the second innings. A strong performance from him could be crucial in helping India C turn the tables and secure a victory in the match.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
