Gaikwad reflects on his role after maiden ton in Raipur

India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad opened up on his mammoth partnership with veteran Virat Kohli in the second ODI against South Africa, calling the senior batter’s form “unbelievable” as the pair kept India in the contest in Raipur.
“The chat in between was very clear. We had set 5-10 runs an over as target and how to maneuver the gaps, how to get those boundaries or how we can rotate strike,” Gaikwad said after the game.
“I think we had really good running between the wickets as well.
“You dream of these kind of moments, to be able to have that kind of partnership. I really enjoyed it a lot,” he added.
Gaikwad notched up a magnificent knock of 105 runs off 83 deliveries, which was also his maiden ODI century.
Shifting down to No.4 this series, Gaikwad revealed the conversation with the team management with respect to his role going forward in the ODI setup.
“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.
Gaikwad 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.
“I think I knew how to play in between 11 to 40 overs, to rotate strike and what are the boundary options. I was pretty much confident on how I can 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 wanted to make sure that whenever I am set I will make it a big one,” he added.
Despite two significant centuries from Gaikwad and Kohli, South Africa chased down the target of 358 to level the series 1-1.
The teams now move to Visakhapatnam for the series decider on December 6.