India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad has credited India’s “fearless and aggressive” approach for their victory in the five-match T20I series against Australia. Gaikwad, who played a crucial role in India’s win in the fourth T20I, also expressed hope that the series triumph would provide some solace to fans after India’s heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup final.
In the fourth T20I, India defeated Australia by 20 runs, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. Gaikwad acknowledged the influence of Chennai Super Kings captain, MS Dhoni, on his new approach to the shortest format of the game.
During his stint with CSK in the Indian Premier League, Gaikwad learned a lot about T20 cricket from the legendary Dhoni. Gaikwad praised Dhoni’s ability to read situations and understand the game, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the team score and requirements rather than the individual situation of the game.
Gaikwad revealed that he mentally prepares for T20 matches by visualizing different game situations and pitch behavior the night before. He stressed the significance of staying ahead of the game mentally. Dhoni always insists on not rushing thoughts, as there is enough time for an opener even in a T20 match.
Reflecting on the victory in the series, Gaikwad expressed joy for the fans, stating that it would provide some happiness after the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final. Gaikwad, who contributed with a 28-ball 32 in the fourth T20I, highlighted the importance of expressing oneself and enjoying the game. He commended the team for taking responsibility at every stage.
Gaikwad mentioned that the discussion after the World Cup disappointment focused on being fearless and aggressive, and backing one’s instincts at every stage. The positive energy in the team, coming from successful performances in domestic tournaments, boosted their confidence. Gaikwad also mentioned the presence of a few members from the World Cup squad, adding to the team’s motivation.
As the series comes to a close, Gaikwad acknowledged that there is still one match left to play. However, he expressed the team’s happiness with the result and their overall performance. The article concludes by mentioning that the story has been auto-generated from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff.
