Shoulder injury forces Gautam Gambhir to retire hurt

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was making a comeback to the team after staying away for almost 24 months. He got an opportunity after KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan were injured and ruled out having played first and the second Test respectively. The left-hander would have ideally wanted to make the most of it and ensure he is reconsidered.

In the first innings, he started off really well stroking some beautiful boundaries but perished after scoring 29 runs. While fielding in New Zealand’s first inning, Gambhir put in a dive but didn’t land safely and injured his right shoulder. He was out of the field for more than two hours after that and there was even a concern if the umpires would allow him to return back immediately and open the inning.

He was permitted and out he walked with Murali Vijay to kick off India’s second inning while they already had a lead of 258 runs from the first innings. Gambhir got off the mark with a boundary in the second inning rocking back in the crease and cutting Jeetan Patel through point.

Seven balls into his inning having scored 6 runs, he went for a quick single and was at the danger end and with wicketkeeper BJ Watling geared up to knock the stumps off he had to put in a dive. He slid back in, time but looked in discomfort the moment he landed. Indian physio rushed in to assess but it appeared that he was in too much pain and couldn’t continue.

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Off he walked with the physio retired hurt and Cheteshwar Pujara came in to join Vijay. The Indians negotiated the 6 overs they batted on the 3rd day without any damage and will be eying some quick runs tomorrow to have enough time to send the New Zealanders back in to try and bowl them out.

Some of his fans were concerned while others were confident that Gautam Gambhir will come back strong:

Virat Kohli Did Not Enforced Follow-on Because Haters Would Say He Didn't Want Gautam Gambhir To Bat. 😉

#IndvsNZ #INDvNZ

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) October 10, 2016

Thank you Virat Kohli to give Gautam Gambhir a Do or Die chance.

— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) October 10, 2016

Gautam Gambhir has opened batting. Was off field for long time due to injury. Since it's external injury, allowed to bat #INDvsNZ #Cricket

— Thatscricket (@thatscricket) October 10, 2016

And @GautamGambhir should thank the umpires for letting him bat. Come on Gauti, make it count #IndvsNZ https://t.co/bLVEw937TB

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 10, 2016

The Braveheart won't give up so easily. He is batting there with Vijay. All d best @GautamGambhir #IndvsNZ

— Abhishek ?? (@ImAbhishek_) October 10, 2016

I hope @GautamGambhir doesn't have a serious injury @BCCI,Please consider him for upcoming tests against England.He was amazing in this test

— Apurv Chandrawal (@apurvjessy) October 10, 2016

True fighter… #Salute pic.twitter.com/30oj9Xuxi2

— Shilpa Mukherjee (@gautifan_shilpa) October 10, 2016

A wounded tiger strikes hard next time with a greater force than before @GautamGambhir #IndvsNZ

— Abhishek ?? (@ImAbhishek_) October 10, 2016

@GautamGambhir Praying for your speedy recovery. Looking forward to see you bat tomorrow morning and score 50+. @BCCI @imVkohli

— Sachin Rane (@sgr76) October 10, 2016

Gauti, take care. U are a champion. Hoping to see u on the crease tomorrow. Love u champ. @GautamGambhir

— Gautian Aranyaka Dal (@GautiAranyaka) October 10, 2016

@GautamGambhir are you ok gautam .please get well soon and give a blast to indian team.well deserved brave opener .good luck @imVkohli

— Abhinav Sharma (@coolabhinav2586) October 10, 2016

Gautam Gambhir have yo hit a ton if he wants to stay in test playing XI. #IndvsNZ

— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) October 10, 2016