The new opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan finally clicked for the Indian team as both the openers, the former in particular got their side off to a flying start in the third T20I of the five-match T20I series. Gaikwad was under a little bit of pressure coming into the game in Vizag with a couple of low scores under his belt in the first two matches, however, he came with intent and a positive attitude to take on the South African bowlers from the outset.
Gaikwad scored a quickfire fifty and his innings of 57 off 35, which included five fours in one over of Anrich Nortje, went a long way in India posting a competitive total of 179. The Maharashtra lad stitched a 97-run opening stand with Kishan, who continued his fabulous form in the series with a second fifty-plus score.
Speaking about the mindset and India’s all-out attack approach after the match, the 25-year-old said that going after the bowlers doesn’t mean that the batter is playing recklessly or rash shots but the intent is important and they want to put bowlers under the pressure.
“Going after the bowlers was not about being reckless or playing rash shots. I think we as a batting unit have some strength, certain shots we play as individuals. It is about backing ourselves and putting pressure on the bowlers.
“Just making sure that you are showing the intent, no matter if you are playing first ball or second ball, or you are set, even if you are batting at 30-40, if it is there in your area, in your strength, just have to go for it, that is what the thinking is about,” he added.
When asked if his life was on the edge as far as a place in the Indian team was concerned, Gaikwad denied saying that people have a lot of expectations from him since the last IPL and form is part and parcel of the sport. Gaikwad had an inconsistent IPL 2022 where he scored just three fifties. He mentioned that the wickets in IPL 2022 were bowler-friendly and hence in some games good shots were even going to the fielders.
“In the IPL, the wicket was slightly bowler-friendly. There was no flat wicket, it was two-paced, the ball was turning, and there was some swing. So 3-4 games in IPL, I got out to good balls where in some dismissals, some good shots went to the fielder’s hand, it is part of T20 cricket.
“You will have off days and really bad days. It is a matter of staying consistent mentally, trusting your process,” he added.
