Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in stupendous form in the ongoing T20I series against Australia. The cricketer from Maharashtra is having a superb series having scored a century and a half-century in four innings so far. After failing in the first two T20Is, Ruturaj has bounced back strongly to score 213 runs at an average of 71 and a strike-rate of 166.41.
Ruturaj has credited former India and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni for a change in mindset in T20 format. Dhoni emphasized the importance of composed thinking and not to rush, trying to keep pace with the fast-moving game. According to Gaikwad, Dhoni has imparted the wisdom that, despite the fast-paced nature of the format, players need not hurry through their decision-making processes.
“Mahi bhai always insists that we don’t rush our thoughts, because there’s enough time for an opener even in a T20 match,” Gaikwad said on JioCinema.
He added, “I learnt a lot about this (T20) format playing for CSK. Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is always keen on reading situations and understanding the game. He sends a message that you have to look for the team score and what the team requires irrespective of the situation of the game.”
Gaikwad adds that one must be ahead of the game mentally though.
According to Ruturaj, “In T20s, you always must be ahead of the game mentally and I give a lot of importance to that. The night before, I visualise what kind of situation may occur during the game, and how the pitch may behave.”
Ruturaj is on the cusp of breaking Virat Kohli’s record in T20 cricket. Kohli currently holds the record for scoring the highest number of runs by an Indian player in a bilateral T20I series. Kohli achieved the feat during a five-match T20I series against England in 2021, where he accumulated an impressive total of 231 runs. Ruturaj is just 18 runs short of getting past the record set by Kohli.