13:56 IST:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (India) – On his form since that hundred against South Africa last year, Gaikwad says that was a long time ago, with plenty of cricket in between, including the IPL, played across different conditions and different batting positions. He admits there is nervousness returning to the international level after a gap, but he feels the last game was a step forward, just getting out there and settling in for a while. On dealing with limited opportunities, he keeps his approach simple, saying it comes down to giving his best whenever the chance to play for India arrives, rather than dwelling on when the next opportunity might come. He concedes it can be tough to process at times, but says the focus has to stay on enjoying the honour of playing for the country. On adapting to batting at number 4, Gaikwad describes it as a real adjustment, having opened in over a hundred first class innings before this. He then explains that middle-order batting at the international level brings its own demands, from rotating strike to picking the right option at the right time, unlike the powerplay where fielders are in, and boundaries come easier. He says the key is adapting to the situation while still backing his own strengths.
Leave a Reply