Ranji Trophy 2024/25: Ruturaj Gaikwad falls for silver duck versus Mumbai, stumbles in BGT race

Ruturaj Gaikwad didn't have a great start in the second-round clash in Ranji Trophy 2024/25 between Mumbai and Maharashtra, which got underway at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, Mumbai on Friday, October 18.

The talented right-handed batter promoted himself to open the batting with Siddhesh Veer. However, the move didn't bear fruit as Shardul Thakur dismissed Ruturaj in the first over of the Maharashtra innings. He edged a delivery to Ayush Mhatre at gully and the teenager didn't make any mistake. This was Ruturaj's second delivery in the innings as he was dismissed for a silver duck.

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Ruturaj would have hoped for a big score in this encounter as he is in contention for a spot in India's side for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22. A strong performance against the defending champions Mumbai would have taken him several notches up in the pecking order.

It was interesting to see Ruturaj coming out to open the batting as he fared well at No. 4 in the previous game against Jammu and Kashmir. The 27-year-old played a fluent 86-run knock off 130 balls, hitting 13 fours. Mumbai didn't look back after dismissing the Maharashtra skipper as they took four more wickets to have their opposition reeling at 41/5 inside the first 10 overs.

Abhimanyu Easwaran gears up to face Bihar

Abhimanyu Easwaran is also fighting for a place in the Indian team for the tour of Australia. The Bengal batter has been in red-hot form, having slammed four centuries in as many outings across three tournaments - Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy.

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He fell cheaply in Bengal's first innings in their first-round clash against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. However, the right-handed batter redeemed himself in the second innings, scoring an eye-catching 127 not out off 172 balls with the help of 12 boundaries. Bengal take on Bihar in the second round and Easwaran will be eager to extend his purple patch.