India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a stunning century in the third T20I against Australia, cementing his position as a rising star in the Indian cricket team. His scintillating knock of 123* off just 57 balls propelled India to a formidable total of 222/3 in Guwahati on Wednesday, 29 November. This was Gaikwad’s maiden international century in his 21st match for India.
The former India cricketer Ashish Nehra, impressed by Gaikwad’s commanding performance, lauded the young batter’s ability to excel across all three formats of the game. Speaking on Jio Cinema after the match, Nehra praised Gaikwad’s elegance and solidity at the top order, emphasizing his potential to provide a strong foundation for India in all formats.
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“Everybody knows what kind of a player he (Ruturaj Gaikwad) is,” Ashish Nehra asserted on Jio Cinema. “He is a three-format player for India. You need solidity in the T20 format as well, and that’s what Gaikwad brings to the table. His game is completely different from someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal. With attacking batters all around him, Gaikwad could provide India with a good base in all three formats.”
Gaikwad’s rise to prominence began during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. In his four seasons at CSK, he has amassed 1797 runs from 53 matches, establishing himself as a potential successor to MS Dhoni’s leadership role.
Despite Gaikwad’s century, India fell short of securing an unassailable 3-0 lead against Australia. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s sensational century of 104* off 48 balls propelled Australia to victory in a thrilling final-ball encounter. Maxwell was rightfully awarded the player of the match for his match-winning performance.
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With two matches remaining in the series, the excitement is palpable as both teams vie for the coveted trophy. The upcoming clash in Raipur will be followed by the series finale in Bengaluru, where the fate of the title will be decided.
