Ruturaj Gaikwad said this on playing less balls in powerplay
New Delhi: Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad said that he has no problem in playing less balls in the powerplay as his focus is on the team’s score. He said, “I am a player who watches the team’s score.”
Gaikwad’s mindset comes from playing for CSK under MS Dhoni, he said, adding that he learned about the pace of T20 cricket while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) under MS Dhoni. Learned.
“I learned a lot about this format while playing for CSK. Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is always keen to read situations and understand the game. He sends a message that you have to focus on the team score and what the team needs, no matter what the game situation is,” Ruturaj said in a conversation with JioCinema.
After a 20-run win in the fourth T20 match in Rapiur, India have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match T20 series against Australia and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has played a key role so far. He has scored 213 runs in four innings at an average of 71.00, with one century and half-century in his name.
On what the series win means for India, Ruturaj said it is a matter of joy after the loss to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad in early November.
“I think it was important for all of us to express ourselves and enjoy the game. And I think everyone took responsibility at every level. So, we are really happy with the result, but there is still a match left.” Rituraj said.
The opening batsman said that, after the World Cup disappointment, the discussion within the camp was to be fearless and aggressive, supporting his instincts.
“2-3 members of the World Cup team were with us. There was positive energy in the team as we were coming from a domestic tournament and everyone had performed very well there. Everyone came with a lot of confidence.” Gaikwad said.
On his partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal and his run-out in the first T20 match due to a fight with him, Gaikwad said that after the first match, both of them decided not to take risky singles but to play for boundaries with positive intentions. . He also said that after this fight, Yashasvi had also apologized to him.
“After the first match, we decided that we will stay away from risky singles. We will just look for the limits. He is someone who takes the game forward and regardless of the situation, he likes to be aggressive. The discussion has always been that if the wicket is suitable, we will go with positive intentions. But I think the focus is on taking care of the first two overs,” Gaikwad said. He said, “After coming out, he was going inside and he immediately said sorry. I said it’s okay, it happens and it was a mistake. I think mistakes happen, so I have no problem with that.”
Gaikwad said that getting less balls to play in the powerplay does not affect him as he gives priority to the team’s score.
“So if he plays three overs and scores 25 runs, I have no problem with that as long as the team’s score is not affected,” he said. Talking about his preparation for the series, Gaikwad said, “In T20, you always have to be ahead of the game and I give a lot of importance to that. “The night before, I imagine what kind of situation could happen during the game.” And how the pitch might behave. Mahi bhai always emphasizes that we should not rush our thoughts as there is enough time for an opener even in a T20 match,” Gaikwad concluded.
The last T20 match of the series will be held in Bengaluru today.
