Proper leader mentality: Fans project Ruturaj Gaikwad as future CSK captain after heartwarming gesture towards teammate
With MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings captain, being on the brink of retirement many fans projected Ruturaj Gaikwad as the future leader of the Yellow Army.
Ruturaj Gaikwad scripted history on Monday as he smashed seven sixes in an over in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, which the former won by 58 runs. Gaikwad, who walked out to open, played an unbeaten knock of 220 off 159 balls, helping Maharashtra impose a stiff 331-run target for the opposition.
However, Gaikwad's heroics were not just limited with the bat. Following the contest, the opener won several hearts with a beautiful gesture as he shared the player of the match award with fellow teammate Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
Hangargekar played a key role with the bowl, and went to scalp five wickets in his quota. His efforts saw Maharashtra bundle Uttar Pradesh for 272 in 47.4 overs.
Gaikwad was picked man of the match for his incredible show with the bat as Maharashtra advanced to the semifinals of India's premier 50-over domestic tournament.
Batting at a strike-rate of 138.16, Gaikwad's smashed a plethora of sixes, 16 in total, and 10 boundaries during the course of his inning. Apart from entertaining the fans with his scintillating performance, he was also appreciated by many for his gesture. With MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings captain, being on the brink of retirement many fans also projected him as the future leader of the Yellow Army. Here are a few reactions:
Meanwhile, Gaikwad also joined an elite list featuring Sir Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Whiteley, Hazratullah Zazai, Leo Carter, Kieron Pollard and Thisara Perera, batters to have hit six sixes in a row in an over.
After the commanding win, Maharashtra will next face Assam in the semifinals. Assam advanced to the final four stage after defeating Jammu and Kashmir by seven wickets. Riyan Parag fired 174 off 116 balls, while his teammate Rishav Das scored 114* off 118 balls as Assam chased down the stiff 351-run target in 46.1 overs.
