Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad is well aware that it will be “difficult” and “difficult” to replace the retired Virat Kohli at number three in T20Is and has said that he is just focusing on making valuable contributions with the bat in whatever position the team leadership deems fit . The retirement of Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the shortest format after the T20 World Cup triumph has opened the doors for the next players and Gaikwad is a talented batsman who has the potential to seal the third spot. . “This is an important issue and I think this is not the right time to think about it. Even comparing with him (Kohli) or trying to take his place is relatively very difficult and very difficult,” Gaikwad said on the eve of the third T20I against Zimbabwe.
“As I also said in IPL, it is difficult to fill Mahi Bhai’s shoes as well. You definitely want to start your career, you want to start the way you want, you want to play your own game. priority now.”
“Focus on one game, focus on how you can contribute to the team in whatever position you play and make sure you’re on the winning side most of the time.”
Gaikwad batted at number three for India in the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe, but the Pune-born cricketer said he has no preference and will bat wherever the team demands.
“No, wherever the team wants I’ll hit there. No problem. There’s not much difference between opening and number 3 because you have to play the new ball. So there’s not much difference,” he said.
Gaikwad led the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL this year and said the captaincy made him more involved in the game, although it did not make any difference to his batting.
“Actually, to be honest, nothing has changed much. Because my batting remains the same as before. I have to play responsibly and try to finish on my own,” he said.
“It’s just that the way you look at the game, I think every time you are more involved in the game as you have captained the IPL franchise for a long period of time.
“So you tend to stay in the game for a longer period of time rather than just staying out of bounds and just focusing on one ball. Like I said, in terms of hitting, it doesn’t make much of a difference.”
Young opener Abhishek Sharma spoke about how Gaikwad helped him “keep perspective” as he used hammer and tongs to hit a match-winning 47-ball 100 in the second T20I.
“Communication actually doesn’t come from an experienced player,” Gaikwad said.
“It comes from a batting partner because obviously with non-strikers you feel something about a specific bowler or specific conditions and you need to have that confidence to share with your partner whatever you feel and what the right options are, what do in certain situations.
“This is definitely something I have done being part of every team, be it state, IPL or Indian as well…”
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