Ruturaj Gaikwad reacts to Tushar Deshpande's India debut

Tushar Deshpande made his T20I debut for India in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe. He picked up the prized wicket of Sikandar Raza in the game who was his first T20I wicket.

The Mumbai pacer was added to the Indian side for this series. He was one of the many youngsters named in the side. The bowling group was relatively inexperienced but they have stood up to the expectations. After the loss in the first T20I, the team has made a good comeback and the bowlers have responded positively as well.

Deshpande was given his debut cap by Sairaj Bahutule the bowling coach of this traveling India squad. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deshpande's captain at Chennai Super Kings wished him on making his India debut and credited his hard work as the reason behind his success.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad Wished Tushar Deshpande On His India Debut

“You truly deserved it! Your hard work and ethics have always been a treat to watch! More than that you’ve always been a great human being outside cricket…!! Wish you more and more happiness" Gaikwad wrote on his Instragam story wishing the young Indian pacer.

Deshpande earned his maiden India call-up following his performances with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Overall he has picked up 42 wickets in 36 games. In 2024, he picked up 17 wickets in 13 matches. In 203 during CSK's title-winning season, Tushar Deshpande picked up 23 wickets. The young pacer spoke to the BCCI after receiving his India cap and said that it was a proud feeling.

“Very excited but speechless and very proud also. All my feelings coming together and very happy for my father sitting back in Mumbai. It was our dream, our family’s dream that I should play for the country. And this is just the beginning of myself with the support of the family and my wife present here. It’s a proud moment for me,” the pacer said.

In the fourth T20I, India won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to bat first. After a good start by the openers, the side could only muster 152/7 in their 20 overs. Sikandar Raza's 48 helped the side get over 150 with the middle-order not contributing much.

For India, Deshpande picked up the wicket of Raza. Khaleel Ahmed picked up a wicket with Deshpande, Ravi Bishnoi Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube picking up a wicket each.

India won the match by 10 wickets chasing down the score in less than 16 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 93 while Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 58 as India gave Zimbabwe a proper hammering. The win ensured a series win for India and the first as captain for Shubman Gill. Jaiswal was nominated as the Player Of The Match for his belligerent batting.

"Chasing was one thing we were talking about because we were not able to do that in the first T20. It feels good but the job is not done, we have one more game. This is a great team. I haven't had the discussion with the coach and if there are any changes then I will let you know at the toss" said Gill after India's win.

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