Ruturaj Gaikwad injured in the Duleep Trophy second round? Here's the update

In the second-round fixture of the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024, India-C is up against India-B at the Rural Development Trust Stadium B in Ananthapur. The day began with India-B captain Abhimanyu Easwaran winning the toss and opting to field first. As the match commenced, India-C’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, made a promising start by hitting a boundary off the very first delivery. However, his innings was abruptly halted in an unexpected manner. Just two balls into the game, Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt. Initial reports indicate that he may have twisted his ankle while attempting a quick single. This sudden injury required him to leave the field, resulting in an early and unplanned reshuffle of the batting order. With Gaikwad's departure, Rajat Patidar was sent in at number three, a role he was not originally slated for at this stage of the innings.

The unexpected turn of events has put additional pressure on India-C, as they had to adapt quickly to the change in their lineup. The situation has also added a layer of intrigue to the match, with both teams adjusting their strategies to respond to this unforeseen development. As the game progresses, all eyes will be on how India-C copes with the absence of their captain and whether they can recover from this early setback.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has faced a series of injury challenges that have kept him out of numerous games. Notably, he missed out on his debut red-ball opportunity for the South Africa Tests due to a finger injury sustained during the preceding ODI series. Despite these setbacks, Gaikwad made a comeback to the cricketing scene by leading the Chennai Super Kings during the 2024 IPL season. His leadership and performance in the IPL highlighted his resilience and skill, as he navigated the pressures of captaincy and competition.

Following the IPL, Gaikwad continued his return to international cricket by participating in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, which took place after the 2024 T20 World Cup. His involvement in these matches underscored his ongoing commitment to the game and his ability to bounce back from injury setbacks. However, the recent twist to his ankle during the Duleep Trophy match has once again sidelined him, adding another chapter to his battle with injuries. As he recovers, fans and selectors will be keenly watching for his return to full fitness and form.

In a surprising move, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was included in the India-C playing XI for their second-round Duleep Trophy match against India-B. Known for his aggressive batting approach, Kishan was reportedly added to the squad just a day before the match and had quickly integrated into the team with some practice sessions leading up to the game. His inclusion was a notable change, bringing an additional dynamic to the India-C lineup. Another significant aspect of this match is the absence of the Decision Review System (DRS), which had been in place during the previous round of the tournament. The lack of DRS could influence the decision-making process for both teams, as players and officials will have to rely solely on the on-field umpires’ judgments.

Despite the early setback of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, India-C has made a strong start to their innings. With Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharsan at the crease, the team has managed to put together a solid partnership. Patidar is currently unbeaten on 34, while Sudharsan has scored 39. By the end of the first 20 overs, India-C has reached a promising total of 81 runs without losing any wickets. This solid foundation provides them with a good platform to build upon as the match progresses.