Duleep Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad overcomes injury scare to score half-century
What's the story
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of India C, demonstrated resilience during the Duleep Trophy match against India B in Anantapur.
After retiring hurt just two balls into the game due to an ankle sprain, he returned to score a brilliant 58.
Gaikwad's initial exit from the field sparked concerns about a potential hand injury from a Mukesh Kumar delivery.
However, it was later confirmed that he had twisted his ankle while running.
Strategic alliances
Gaikwad's partnerships bolstered India C's score
Upon his return to the field, Gaikwad partnered with Baba Indrajith and Abishek Porel to add 25 and 34 runs for the fourth and fifth wickets, respectively.
Gaikwad returned unbeaten on 46 at stumps on Day 1. He completed his fifty on Day 2 morning but soon fell to Mukesh.
His brilliance meant India C posted 525/10 while batting first.
Ishan Kishan (111), Indrajith (78), and Manav Suthar (82) were the others to score over 50 for India C.
Boundary blitz
Here are his FC numbers
Gaikwad's impressive performance included scoring 48 of his 58 runs in boundaries alone, with nine fours and two sixes. He faced 74 balls.
With his latest fifty, Ruturaj has raced to 2,150 runs across 31 First-Class games at a decent average of 41-plus, as per ESPNcricinfo.
While this was his 11th fifty, the opener has also clobbered six tons with 195* being his best score.
Performance
Gaikwad's recent performance and injury history
In the previous round of the tournament, Gaikwad led his team to a nail-biting victory over India D with a brisk 46 off 48 balls.
However, his red-ball journey has been marred by injuries in recent times.
He missed out on the South Africa tour owing to a ring finger injury last year. The Indian batter has not returned to the Test squad ever since.
Suthar
A fine 82 from Manav Suthar
Meanwhile, all-rounder Manav Suthar was India C's stand-out batter on Day 2. Batting at number seven, he made 82 off 156 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes).
This was his fourth FC fifty as he has raced to 590 runs across 16 games at 30-plus. He has also claimed 73 wickets with his left-arm spin at 22.90.
Suthar claimed a seven-wicket haul in his preceding outing.