[WATCH] Ruturaj Gaikwad Leads India Recovery With Fighting Half-Century In Third T20I vs AUS

Ruturaj Gaikwad in action against AUS (BCCI)

Ruturaj Gaikwad overcame India’s top-order jitters to lead his side’s recovery against Australia in the third T20I of their five-match series. After losing opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal and number three Ishan Kishan cheaply within the powerplay, the dashing right-hander formed counterattacking partnerships with stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav and fellow youngster Tilak Varma to steer India towards a competitive total upfront.

Gaikwad completed his own half-century in the 14th over of the Indian innings, racing to the landmark figure off just 32 balls with nine elegant boundaries to his name.

Gaikwad leads recovery with career-best T20I score

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who belted 58 in the previous match to register his career-best T20I score, bettered his match-winning effort with yet another batting masterclass, this time brandishing his bat against Australia at the Assam Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Opening the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and finding himself at the helm of team’s recovery at 24-2, the 26-year-old listed his fourth fifty-plus T20I score and his second in succession to set up India’s competitive first innings total alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.

Watch: Ruturaj Gaikwad tonks belligerent half-century

Soon after reaching his half-century, Gaikwad dispatched Australian spinner Tanveer Sangha over cover to bring up his first six of the innings. The dashing opener blasted three more sixes off fast bowler Aaron Hardie a while later to accumulate 24 runs in a space of six deliveries.

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