A moment of mirth in IPL 2023 saw Ruturaj Gaikwad cop a blow to his abdomen after backing away from a Sandeep Sharma delivery, but not backing away enough to escape some nasty late swing.

Opening for Chennai Super Kings alongside Devon Conway against Rajasthan Royals in Chennai, Gaikwad was tested by Sandeep’s early swing and zip. The first ball pinged into his front pad, inviting a half-hearted appeal from the bowler. Gaikwad negotiated the next two – but just before Sandeep delivered his fourth, the opener backed away, probably disturbed by some movement behind the bowler.

Sandeep was already into his stride though and delivered anyway. Gaikwad moved away but the ball followed him, skidding off the pitch and darting in. He did well to manage a shielding glove on it before it ricocheted into his abdomen.

Sandeep was quick to apologise, beaming a big smile at Gaikwad. The batter gestured at the sightscreen and smiled. In the dugout, Ben Stokes couldn’t stop giggling. Gaikwad and Sandeep did a quick embrace before continuing on.

Gaikwad didn’t continue for long though: against Sandeep in his following over, he was early to a shot, and ended up lobbing a catch to mid off.

Watch the incident here:

Ouchie! #Gaikwad #Sandeep #CSKvsRR #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/hayCRCiJSF

— Stumptalk (@Stumptalktous) April 12, 2023

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