Twitterati hails Gautam Gambhir's 25th IPL fifty

Fans of Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir on Saturday made him one of the most trending topics on social media after he become the first batsman in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history to score 25 half-centuries.

The left-handed opener achieved the feat in his 105th innings during Knights match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens here.

Gautam Gambhir. Photo: AFP

Twitter was flooded with posts by fans who rooted for his comeback into the Indian national team.

"Gautam Gambhir becomes the first batsman to score 25 half centuries in IPL history. Way to go captain," posted a fan.

"Well played @GautamGambhir. Back to back fifties now, this one without breaking a bat!," said one.

"Unlike last season, Gautam Gambhir has started this IPL season with the bang :) <3 https://," chirped another.

"This IPL @GautamGambhir will prove why he should be in the playing eleven of the National Cricket Team," said an enthusiast.

Messages like "@GautamGambhir will keep cracking half centuries But @BCCI still favours @msdhoni call that he is not in form. #PoliticalBullying #KKRvRCB," were proof how much people want him in.

Gambhir's red hot form in the tournament has only fuelled the fans' anticipation for yet another IPL trophy. Leading from the front, the opener has cracked two successive fifties for the title defenders.

"We can do it Boys !!! Fight For the third time. !! #wewontgiveitback @KKRiders #ChampionsForever @GautamGambhir @SunilPNarine74," wrote another fan.

Having scored 2,921 runs from 106 matches, Gambhir is just 79 runs away from becoming third batsman to score 3,000 runs in IPL. Compatriot Suresh Raina (3,343)of the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma (3,001) are the only two to have scored in excess of 3,000 runs in the IPL.