• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Gaikwad Reveals Gambhirs Message That Inspired His No 4 Heroics In Ind Vs Sa 2nd Odi

Gaikwad reveals Gambhir’s message that inspired his No. 4 heroics in IND vs SA 2nd ODI

Poulomi Chakraborty

Ruturaj Gaikwad in action [Source: AFP]Ruturaj Gaikwad in action [Source: AFP]

Last night, Indian fans witnessed a run-riot as the second ODI between India and South Africa was a pure thriller. The defeat stung, but Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden ODI ton stole every heart and lit up the night.

Coming to bat at the number four, the CSK captain stitched a solid partnership with Virat Kohli and smashed a spectacular ton. After that incredible knock, he shared head coach Gautam Gambhir’s special message to him.

Gambhir’s message lifts Gaikwad

Despite consistent performance in the domestic stage, Ruturaj Gaikwad had to wait long to make his way to the Indian side. After Shreyas Iyer was ruled out due to injury, Gaikwad received a call-up for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. But pushed out of his usual opening slot and sent in at No. 4 in Ranchi, he couldn’t make the impact he wanted.

But in the second ODI, Gaikwad proved that he can excel in any position. Coming to bat at the number four position, he stitched a 195-run partnership with Virat Kohli and smashed his maiden ODI ton. His dazzling 105 left fans in awe, and after the match, he opened up about a special message from Gautam Gambhir.

“I was told that I will bat at number four this series and encouraged to enjoy my game. I feel it is a privilege to have that kind of confidence from management to an opener who can bat at four. Hopefully, I can do well in the last match too. Coach told me to enjoy the game and play my natural game,” he said.

Gaikwad’s long preparation fuels his sublime knock

The number four position is one of the most crucial batting positions for a team, especially in the limited-overs format. While fans applauded his brilliance, his knock was built on years of quiet hard work and unwavering belief in his process. After the match, he revealed how he kept backing himself even through a rough domestic patch.

“In ODI format, even while I was opening, I always wanted to bat till 40-45 overs and capitalize after that. I know how to play 11-40 overs and rotate strike, find my boundary options. It was just about playing the first 10-15 balls well and keep the process. Whenever I'm set, I try to make it long,” Gaikwad said.
"I was not able to do much in last Vijay Hazare Trophy and had a lot of things going on in my mind. I thought for this year, my thought was to stay consistent with my runs, be it in club cricket, white-ball, or red-ball cricket. If I get a chance, well and good otherwise, still well and good,” he added.

Despite putting on a total of 358 runs, Team India faced a heartbreaking defeat. South Africa’s four-wicket victory levelled the series 1-1 and reignited the battle. With the decider set for December 6, both teams are gearing up for an all-out fight to claim the series.