Just a few months ago, Ruturaj Gaikwad was pleasantly surprised when asked to lead Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, stepping into the shoes of MS Dhoni. Now, during the ongoing series in Zimbabwe, Ruturaj is making a case for himself at the No.3 spot left vacant after Virat Kohli’s T20I retirement. In the second T20I against Zimbabwe, Ruturaj played a crucial role in India’s victory and is expected to continue batting at No.3 for the remainder of the series. “Wherever the team needs me to bat, I’m happy to do so,” Ruturaj commented ahead of the third T20I. “Whether it’s opening or batting at Number 3, there’s not much difference. You still have to face the new ball.”
“It’s a significant challenge,” Ruturaj Gaikwad remarked regarding the prospect of filling the No.3 slot. “Comparing oneself to him or stepping into his shoes is really tough. Just like I mentioned during the IPL, filling Mahi bhai’s shoes is also difficult. Right now, the priority is to focus on my own game, concentrate on each match, and contribute to my team’s victories, regardless of the side I’m playing for.”
Ruturaj acknowledged the challenging batting conditions in Zimbabwe, particularly noting the tricky nature of the pitches. India faced a reality check in the first T20I, which they lost. “It’s definitely challenging,” he emphasized. “The conditions are somewhat unique here. Dealing with variable bounce and slightly double-paced pitches adds to the difficulty. It’s tougher to score when the ball is new, but as it gets older, with a fast outfield and relatively short straight boundaries, scoring becomes easier.”
“To be honest, not much has changed,” Ruturaj Gaikwad noted when asked about any impact from captaining in the IPL. “My approach to batting remains consistent – taking responsibility, playing my game, and aiming to finish matches. Captaining an IPL team does enhance your involvement and perspective on the game. You stay engaged for longer periods compared to when you’re fielding and focusing ball by ball. However, in terms of batting, my approach and style haven’t changed much.”
