While the fifth T20 international between India and South Africa was called off after 3.3 overs due to rain on Sunday in Bengaluru, more than the action on the field, an incident off it grabbed the spotlight.
Very bad and disrespectful gesture by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Sad to see these groundsmen getting treated like this #RuturajGaikwadpic.twitter.com/jIXWvUdqIX — Arnav (@imarnav_904) June 19, 2022
"Ban him. Groundsmen are working tremendously hard in the rain and then this Gaikwad asks him not to touch him," wrote Twitter user Avneet (@itz_avneet_). Another user Amayprem (@Amayprem333) said, "Rituraj treats groundmen like casteism. Request BCCI to fine him for her bad behaviour."
"Dear Ruturaj Gaikwad, attitude and character are more important than skills and performance. With your current attitude, you will never reach places. Players like Sachin, Dhoni and Kohli are legends, not because of their skills alone. Learn to respect fellow humans!" commented KjK (@StealthModeUser).
Another Twitter user who goes by @FOXER_Offl tweeted, "Worst behavior by Ruturaj Gaikwad. They (the groundsmen) are the unsung heroes and treating them like this is very disrespectful."
The cricketer is yet to comment on the incident.
He had managed to score only 10 runs before walking back to the pavilion in the fourth over of the innings in the fifth and final T20 international.
In the entire series, Gaikwad had registered just 150 runs and that happened during the third T20 international in Vishakhapatnam.
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