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Reminds us of young Virat Kohli: Ruturaj Gaikwad 57 vs South Africa leaves fans in awe

June 14, 2022
Bharat Times

Ruturaj Gaikwad, on Tuesday, June 14, scored a sparkling half-century against South Africa in the third T20I of the five-match series. The right-handed batter made his debut for India back in 2021, but strained to perform in the initial matches.

In his first five outings for the Men in Blue, Gaikwad scored 63 runs at an average of 12.60 with a top score of 23. Even in the first two games against the Proteas, the 26-year-old looked far from his very best. But in Vizag, Gaikwad showed what he is capable of.

After the visitors put India into bat first, Gaikwad blazed away to a half-century off 30 balls. It was on the back of his knock that India managed to score 57 runs in the powerplay without losing a single wicket. He received the apt support from Ishan Kishan, who also made a fifty.

Against the run of play, Gaikwad perished to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. After a 97-run stand for the opening wicket, the Young Turk got out at the halfway mark.

Gaikwad went back to the hut after scoring 57 runs off 35 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. He has also been excellent while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

The fans, in the meantime, heaped praise on Gaikwad for scoring his maiden half-century in T20Is. One of the supporters said that Gaikwad played the way a young Virat Kohli used to play. Another fan said that the right-hander could be a replacement for former batter Virender Sehwag.