MS Dhoni namedropped as Ruturaj Gaikwad shares no-nonsense take on replacing Virat Kohli at No.3

India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad talked about taking up a spot of Virat Kohli in the T20I team during the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe National Cricket Team. He said that it's a huge responsibility but he wants to focus on himself only.

India batter Virat Kohli called time on his career in the T20I format after the T20 World Cup 2024. The batter ended as best the player for the team and at the No.3 position, he scored a truckload of runs for his team in the format and did some unachievable things.

The void left by Virat Kohli will be one of the toughest jobs to fill. Although there are plenty of young talented players in the Indian setup, but the quality and caliber of Kohli were something that no one had, and thus to replace his quality is something that will be hard to do.

In the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe National Cricket Team, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been allowed to bat at No.3. The batter failed to make a mark in the first match but after that, he played a match-winning innings for his team in the second game and helped team win.

On a tough pitch, Ruturaj Gaikwad played a vital hand for the team. When the going was tough, he hung in there and ensured that he batted till the end. He first played second fiddle to Abhishek Sharma (100) and after that unleashed himself, taking the team to a big total.

Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed a brilliant half-century and ended with the innings of unbeaten 77 runs off 47 balls. He batted with a strike rate of over 163 and also hit 11 fours and 1 six in his innings. His sensational knock helped India post a total of 234 runs on the board and win the match by 100 runs.

When asked about filling in the shoes of Virat Kohli at No.3, Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that it's tough to replace the senior batter. He recalled his statement from IPL and stated that his priority is to play his own game. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

"It is actually a huge topic, and it isn't the right point to think about it, compare with him or even try to fill his shoes because it is relatively very tough and hard. As I said during the IPL as well, it is difficult to fill Mahi bhai's shoes. You want to start your own career, play your own game and that is the priority right now."

Wherever the team wants me to bat, I'm willing to bat there - Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad further talked about his batting position in the team and said that he is willing to bat wherever the management asks him. Talking about the same:

"Wherever the team wants me to bat, I'm willing to bat there. There isn't much difference between opening and No. 3, because you have to play against the new ball."

Ruturaj Gaikwad will be next seen in action when India will take on Zimbabwe in the third match of the series. The game will be played on Wednesday (10th July) at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The series currently stands leveled at 1-1.