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Ruturaj Gaikwad Prepares For Duleep Trophy With Conventional Defence Shots In Nets - Watch

Ruturaj Gaikwad spends time in the nets to prepare for Duleep Trophy (X.com)Ruturaj Gaikwad spends time in the nets to prepare for Duleep Trophy (X.com)

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the promising Indian opener, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Duleep Trophy season with an intense focus on refining his defensive technique. With diligent practice in the nets, Gaikwad is working on his conventional defence, which is crucial for the longer format of the game. 

Duleep Trophy, a pivotal domestic tournament, is on the horizon, with the first round beginning on September 5. Team C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will meet Team D, led by Shreyas Iyer, for the opening game.

With just hours left for the d-day, Team C captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was seen sweating in the nets in a widely shared social media video. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad gets his preparations right for Duleep Trophy!

In the video posted by a fan account, Gaikwad has been seen meticulously defending deliveries with a straight bat. 

This focused preparation is aimed at fine-tuning his ability to handle both pace and spin, a skill essential for success in the Duleep Trophy, which often features some of the best domestic bowlers in the country.

Moreover, the responsibility to score runs on Ruturaj Gaikwad has doubled ever since his teammate and explosive batter, Suryakumar Yadav got ruled out of the tournament’s first round due to a hand injury. 

Why Are Stakes High For Ruturaj In Duleep Trophy?

The competition amongst the next generation for a spot in the national side is more intense than ever. With Shubman Gill and Yasashvi Jaiswal viewed as favourite openers, Ruturaj is struggling to stay relevant. 

Across 23 T20Is played for India, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 633 runs with a 39.56 average. In 6 ODIs, the batter managed only 115 runs with a lowly 19.17 average. And the Test format remains out of his reach for now.

Hence, the only option left for him is to score runs in domestic cricket, especially in longer format tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy.