Ruturaj Gaikwad Talks About Gambhir's Advice After Changing Batting Position to No. 4

Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a masterful 105 at No. 4 in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, marking his maiden ODI century and helping India post a formidable 358 for 5. Despite the eventual four-wicket defeat that levelled the series 1-1, Gaikwad’s knock stood out for its composure under pressure, especially as he adapted to an unfamiliar middle-order role traditionally occupied by senior players.

The Maharashtra batter, widely recognised as a specialist opener, described the century as his finest across formats due to the unique challenge of batting lower down the order. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he emphasised the difficulty of the adjustment while expressing gratitude for the faith shown by the team management in assigning him the pivotal position.

Gaikwad disclosed that head coach Gautam Gambhir personally conveyed the decision before the series, accompanied by a clear directive: “Enjoy the game and play your natural game.” The 27-year-old termed it a “privilege” to receive such backing from the coaching staff, highlighting the confidence reposed in his versatility despite his established role at the top.

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Reflecting on his approach, Gaikwad explained his long-held intent to bat deep in ODIs, even when opening. He stressed the importance of negotiating the initial 10-15 deliveries, rotating strike effectively between overs 11 and 40, and then accelerating. The century, built on disciplined strike rotation and calculated boundary-hitting, validated his methodical preparation and mental resilience following an underwhelming domestic season.

With the series decider looming, Gaikwad expressed determination to replicate his performance and contribute decisively. Gambhir’s encouragement appears to have unlocked a new dimension in the right-hander’s game, signalling India’s evolving batting flexibility as the team fine-tunes combinations ahead of future global assignments.

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