From sharing the dressing room with them Chennai Super Kings Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will run between the wickets with this star batsman of South Africa Faf Du PlessisGaikwad took a lot of tips for cricket.
And if he gets a chance to be a part of the Indian playing XI for the limited overs tour of Sri Lanka, he is hoping to make good use of him.
The 24-year-old from Maharashtra is one of the six uncapped players to be included in the 20-man squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.
“The feeling is really good. I feel proud of this call-up. Playing for India is a different feeling altogether. I remember I was sleeping and just after 10 minutes, my phone started ringing There were many missed calls. My parents also called (after their India call-up). They came to my room and congratulated me. I was overjoyed. They both were very proud and my father did. Hug me. It was an emotional moment for me. It was a long-cherished dream that has come true,” Gaikwad told TimesofIndia.com.
Image credit: TOI Photo
India, led by Shikhar Dhawan, will play three ODIs and three T20Is against Sri Lanka from July 13 to July 25. These will actually be the last T20Is that India will play before the ICC World T20 later this year.
“Shikhar Bhai (Shikhar Dhawan) is a gem of a person and a wonderful human being. He has played at the international level. Cricket For a long time now. He is the legend of the game. I am really happy to share the dressing room with him. Learning from Shikhar bhai will be a huge learning experience for me. He knows the game inside and out. I am really excited,” the right-handed batsman further added.
“I want to take it one game at a time. If Shikhar bhai asks me to open, I will. If he asks me to play in the middle order, I will be ready. I will bat in any position. We just want to win the series in Sri Lanka. I am sure we will,” the 24-year-old from Pune, who has four first-class centuries, told TimesofIndia.com.
India’s head coach Ravi Shastri travels with the Indian team, which is in England for the five-match series, Former India batsman and NCA chief, Rahul Dravid travels with the Indian team which is in Sri Lanka. His experience of coaching the India Under-19 and India A teams gives him unparalleled insight into the sport of the many youngsters who are part of the team.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul Dravid (BCCI Photo)
Gaikwad, who has played 21 first-class matches, 59 List A and 46 T20Is for Maharashtra so far, is eager to pick Dravid’s mind on the tour.
“The best thing about Rahul sir is that he gives freedom to youngsters. He corrects their flaws. He never asks any player to change his style. He has a lot of knowledge about the game. Playing under a great player who will be our coach and learning from him will be a big deal for me. I look forward to getting more and more batting tips from him,” Gaikwad told TimesofIndia.com.
‘Relax and keep calm’ – Dhoni’s tips for Gaikwad
After a great start to 2021 IPL Gaikwad scored 5, 5 and 10 runs in the first three matches and scored an impressive 64 off 42 balls in the campaign and shared an opening partnership of 115 runs with Faf du Plessis against Kolkata Knight Riders. CSK won that match by 18 runs.
In his next match against RCB, Gaikwad scored 33 and then he smashed a blistering 75 off just 44 balls in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 171/3. Gaikwad was adjudged the player of the match for his match winning innings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and M S Dhoni (BCCI / IPL photo)
“Faf doesn’t speak much on the field. If I play a good shot, he will react. He comes, gives a fist pump. But after the match, he will ask a lot of questions like how did I play that shot, etc. His It’s fun to bat in the middle together,” Gaikwad recalled.
“Every time you see the presence of MS Dhoni and Faf or Suresh Raina, you feel confident and get a boost. Faf talks a lot about cricket. Many topics he discusses. Mahi bhai’s He has a lot of knowledge and he shares his experience with us. Whenever I come back from the net, if he is around, he tells me what are my flaws and suggests solutions. Mahi bhai’s words appeal to me a lot. I got a lot of batting tips from Mahi bhai and Faf and I am going to implement them on the Sri Lanka tour,” he said.
The one lesson Gaikwad will always remember from Dhoni is to remain calm and relaxed on strike.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis (BCCI/IPL Photo)
“Mahi bhai puts maximum emphasis on staying calm and calm while batting. He always tells me ‘tu enjoy kar gam ko, pressure mat le, aur naturalli khel (Just enjoy your game, don’t take pressure and Play naturally). He tells me – ‘There will be a lot of things and things around you when you play, just don’t worry about those people, just focus on your game. He is such a player’ One who openly supports his players. His support and guidance has given me a lot of confidence,” said the Maharashtra cricketer who has quickly become the first-choice opener for CSK.
‘India favorite against England’
Since 1932, India has toured England 18 times for a Test series and has emerged as the series winner only three times.
India won in 1971 (under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar), in 1986 (under the captaincy of Kapil Dev) and in 2007 (under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid). After 2007, India toured England thrice, but could not achieve the series (2011, 2014 and 2018).
Virat Kohli (AP Photo)
Gaikwad has described India as a strong contender for winning the five-match Test series against England.
“We have a very strong team. I am sure we will win the series vs England. All bases have been covered. Be it fast bowling, batting or fielding. The best part is we have options. Our team So, India will have a good time in England. England didn’t do well recently. They lost to New Zealand, they lost to India at home. So, they will try to come back strong, But India will have an upper hand against England and I am sure Virat bhai will take India to a series win in England,” Gaikwad signed off.
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