Raipur, Dec 4 (UNI) India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad reflected on his record stand with Virat Kohli during the second ODI against South Africa, calling the senior batter’s form “unbelievable” as the pair kept India afloat in a high-scoring clash, eventually won by the visitors.
“The chat in between was very clear. We had set 5-10 runs an over as a target and how to maneuver the gaps, how to get those boundaries or how we can rotate strike,” ICC quoted Gaikwad. “I think we had really good running between the wickets as well.”
“You dream of these kinds of moments, to be able to have that kind of partnership. I really enjoyed it a lot,” he added.
He notched up a magnificent knock of 105 runs off 83 deliveries, which was also his maiden ODI century.
Gaikwad, who has moved down to No. 4 for this series, said the team management had backed him to adapt to the middle-order role.
“They (the management) just told me you’ll be batting at four this series and to just enjoy the game. I think it is a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management towards an opener who can bat at number four as well,” he added.
He also spoke about his approach to batting out of position and adapting his method to the middle-order role.
“Even when I was opening the innings, I always made sure that whenever I am set, I am able to bat till the 45th over and capitalize after that,” he said. “I think I knew how to play between 11 to 40 overs, to rotate strike, and what the boundary options are. I was pretty much confident about how I could go through.”
“It was just a matter of how I can play my first 10-15 balls, and after that, the process remains the same. I have been working very hard, so I wanted to make sure that whenever I am set, I will make it a big one,” he added.
Despite the centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad, South Africa overhauled the total to force a decider.
The teams now move to Visakhapatnam for the series decider on December 6.
