Ruturaj Gaikwad's horrible IPL debut (Source: @imAnthoni_/x.com)
As the IPL 2025 has been wrapped up just a few months ago, the excitement is already touching the sky for the upcoming season. With the teams gear up for the IPL auction and finalize retentions, the Rajasthan Royals grabbed headlines with their shocking decision to trade Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings.
Over the years, Samson has been an integral part of the Royals and is now set to start a new chapter under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy in the iconic yellow jersey. However, when Gaikwad made his IPL debut, his very first clash against Samson and the Royals turned out to be an unforgettable challenge.
When Ruturaj Gaikwad debuted against the Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson’s explosive brilliance left him walking back on a duck, turning his debut into a nightmare. Let’s relive the heartbreaking memory.
Samson’s lightning-fast stumping leaves Ruturaj Gaikwad on a duck
The domestic circuit explores the best talents of India, and after the IPL was introduced to the Indian fans, the talents got a bigger stage to showcase their talents. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Maharashtra batter, shattered the domestic stage, and CSK didn’t lose the chance to have him in the squad. In 2020, when the world was struck down by COVID-19, Ruturaj’s IPL dream took flight on the UAE soil.
Facing the Rajasthan Royals in the 4th match of the IPL 2020, Ruturaj Gaikwad made his debut for the Chennai Super Kings. Chasing a target of 217 runs, Chennai started strongly but crumbled in the middle. After Sam Curran’s dismissal, debutant Gaikwad joined Faf du Plessis.
In the last delivery of the 9th over, the young batter was on strike, and Rahul Tewatia came to bowl. A delivery outside off stump tempted Gaikwad into a misstep, and behind the stumps, Sanju Samson was flawless. With his lightning-fast stumping, he shattered the stump, and the debut turned out to be a heartbreak as he walked away on a duck.
The duo gears up to begin a new chapter together
After Gaikwad’s debut turned out to be a misery, the batter rose through the ranks with his excellence. After MS Dhoni stepped down from the captaincy, Ruturaj Gaikwad took the helm. While his initial seasons as leader may have fallen short of expectations, he’s poised to make a strong comeback and prove his leadership once again.
The upcoming season is going to be a little more thrilling for the CSK skipper. Sanju Samson, who once caused the biggest heartbreak on his IPL debut, will now be rubbing shoulders in wins and losses. After being traded from the Rajasthan Royals, Samson is now a Super King.
Samson’s legacy in the iconic pink jersey is far to be faded, but a new innings for the CSK is awaiting. While fans were left heartbroken after the trade, the star wicketkeeper-batter is now set to embark on an exciting journey in the iconic yellow jersey.
