Skipper Rohit Sharma decided to push himself down the order, to have two youngsters, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, enjoy their natural positions of opening the batting in the third T20I against West Indies on Sunday in Kolkata.
The Orange Cap winner of IPL 2021, Ruturaj Gaikwad made his T20I for India last year against Sri Lanka. In 2 games then he scored 35 runs, and now got another opportunity on Sunday.
However, the 25-year-old couldn’t make his chance count as he was dismissed for 4 runs off 8 balls after stroking one boundary. Gaikwad faced the first ball of the match from Jason Holder, full and swinging into his pads for a single leg-bye. Ishan Kishan played out the next five balls of the over.
Next over, bowled by Romario Shepherd, Gaikwad started strongly with two well-timed shots. The first one – a punch in the cover that would have gone for a four but for a brilliant diving save Fabian Allen. On the next ball, Gaikwad got more room to free his arms, and placed it between point and cover for his first boundary of the game.
Shepherd, then, though, came back strongly with 4 consecutive dot balls, including one where Gaikwad danced down the track for a wild swing only to cut out air.
Holder then dismissed Gaikwad who failed to read the pace of the ball that shaped away slightly, and was early into his shot, trying to whip it big on the leg side, and gave away a leading-edge that flew towards third-man where Kyle Mayers took the catch.
Fans had expected much better from Ruturaj Gaikwad, especially after his form in the IPL and then in domestic cricket. However, they were left wanting for more.
Here are some of the reactions after Gaikwad’s failure:
Youngster Ishan Kishan took Ruturaj Gaikwad to introduce him among fellow academy mates?
Ishan Kishan’s passion,love and determination for the academy is commendable?? #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/dSGPsX8s70— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) February 20, 2022
‘Thala’sons supporting Ruturaj Gaikwad for his tribute knock 4(8) for THALA https://t.co/9mqpZTjIze pic.twitter.com/z3GRw0jBo5
— CIVIL×RAGE (@BLOODLINE45) February 20, 2022
And still those mahindra singh gaikwad fans want rutu as a opener ? pic.twitter.com/BYFxZfHFUB
— Peter Quill (@i_peterquill) February 17, 2022
Opening slot to Ishan Kishan & Ruturaj Gaikwad pic.twitter.com/khMNX9cVed
— Kunal Yadav (@kunaalyaadav) February 20, 2022
RituRaj Gaikwad scored 4(8) runs. Pure CSK type dominance ?
— SACHII | ?? (@fadedSachi) February 20, 2022
Really hope that Ruturaj Gaikwad gets more chances, he has the potential to cement his place at the top of the order ?? #CricketTwitter #IndVWI #IndVSWI @Ruutu1331
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) February 20, 2022
Ruturaj Gaikwad playing today’s match#RuturajGaikwad #INDvsWI #T20I
— Ashutosh Srivastava (@ashutosh_sri8) February 20, 2022
CSK Fans After Ruturaj Gaikwad Dismissal.pic.twitter.com/QVOBEMYM3H
— Vicky Shinde (@iamshinde83) February 20, 2022
No offence but if Ruturaj Gaikwad had a dull series like Ishan Kishan , cricket twitter would have slaughtered him.
— ` (@FourOverthrows) February 20, 2022
In third t20: #Indvswi
*fans to gaikwad pic.twitter.com/MMTBj6vLO9
— Jay Chaudhary (@Jaychau123) February 20, 2022
Ruturaj Gaikwad after finally getting a chance pic.twitter.com/JdgMaGHzWp
— ASmemesss (@asmemesss) February 20, 2022
India were in a pickle at 93/4 in the 14th over and 160 looked a desired total. However, a staggering assault from Suryakumar Yadav (65 runs off 31 balls) and Venkatesh Iyer (35* off 19) in a partnership of 91 runs from just 37 balls took India to 184.
