Ruturaj Gaikwad recently shared his thoughts regarding people comparing him to Virat Kohli in T20I cricket.
India’s young cricketers are facing their first major test in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. This series significantly marks a new chapter for the team following the retirements of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after their triumphant T20 World Cup victory.
Both Kohli and Sharma left the team in a strong position, and the responsibility now falls on the next generation to carry the torch forward.
For Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2024 has been a year of significant challenges. The rising star, who is still establishing himself on the international stage, has inherited the responsibility of filling the void left by legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
Ahead of the third T20I against Zimbabwe, Gaikwad addressed questions about his new batting role and comparisons to Virat Kohli. “It’s a big topic, and it’s not the right time to think about it. To even be compared to him (Kohli) or try to fill in his shoes is very tough. As I said during the IPL as well, it’s difficult to fill Mahi Bhai’s shoes. You want to start your own career and play your own game, and that’s the priority right now,” Gaikwad explained at the pre-match press conference during the India versus Zimbabwe match.
Earlier this year, Gaikwad was named captain of the Chennai Super Kings after Dhoni stepped down. Now, he finds himself batting at number three in T20Is, which was long held by Kohli for India.
For the unaware, India bounced back from a surprising defeat in the first T20I to dominate the second match, winning by a massive 100 runs. The series is currently tied 1-1, with both sides eyeing a series win.
Last Updated on July 9, 2024