The third match of the India vs South Africa T20I series is currently underway in Vizag, where the Indian cricket team has set a 180-run target to the Proteas. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan stole the show in the first innings, scoring a fifty each. However, the rest of the batters could not build on the platform provided by the two openers as India finished with 179/5 in 20 overs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been one of the best batters for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League over the last two years. He won the Orange Cap award in 2021, but he could not impress much in the Indian jersey whenever he got the chance to play for the nation.
Finally, he registered his maiden T20I fifty tonight by scoring 57 runs off 35 deliveries. He smacked seven fours and two sixes during his knock. Ultimately, he handed a catch to Keshav Maharaj off his own bowling. Speaking with host broadcasters after the first innings, Gaikwad disclosed how he motivated himself during the tough phase.
“You have to be honest to yourself and back yourself to the limit. You will have ups and downs in T20s and you have to back yourself. That is what I have been telling myself. In this format, you have to bat with clear intent and get off to a good start,” said Gaikwad.
Ruturaj Gaikwad thinks India are 10 to 15 runs short in the first innings
During the same interview, Gaikwad admitted that the Indian cricket team fell 10 to 15 runs short eventually. The kind of start that Ishan Kishan and Gaikwad provided, 190 looked like a gettable score, but the Men in Blue finished with 179 runs in 20 overs. Here’s what he had to say about it:
“We are 10-15 runs short but 180 is a good score, we can bowl well on this wicket.”
