Gaikwad, who attributes his T20 cricket insights to playing under the leadership of MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), shared his mindset in a conversation with JioCinema.
“I am a player who looks at the team’s score,” emphasised Gaikwad, highlighting his dedication to prioritising the team’s success over personal milestones. He credited Dhoni for shaping this philosophy, noting that the former captain always stressed reading game situations and understanding the team’s requirements, regardless of the context.
“I learned a lot about this format playing for CSK. Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is always keen on reading situations and understanding the game,” Gaikwad stated.
“He sends a message that you have to look for the team score and what the team requires, irrespective of the situation of the game.”
Currently, Gaikwad’s impressive form has seen him score 213 runs in four innings at an average of 71.00 in the T20I series against Australia, helping India secure an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Reflecting on the team’s approach post the World Cup final loss to Australia, Gaikwad mentioned, “I think it was important for all of us to express ourselves and enjoy the game.”
He highlighted the collective decision to be fearless and aggressive, backed by positive energy derived from successful domestic tournaments.
Regarding his partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal and the mix-up in the first T20I, Gaikwad explained the duo’s decision to avoid risky singles and focus on boundaries after the initial mishap.
“After the first match, we decided that we would be off from risky singles. We will just look for boundaries,” said Gaikwad. He added that Jaiswal apologised for the mix-up, emphasising that mistakes happen in cricket.
On the impact of playing fewer balls in the powerplay, Gaikwad expressed his unwavering commitment to the team’s score.
“So if he plays three overs and scores 25, I am fine with that, as long as the team’s score is not affected,” he asserted.
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As India hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, Gaikwad concluded, “We are really happy with the result, but there is still one match to go.”
The final T20I of the series is set to take place in Bengaluru on Sunday, where Gaikwad aims to continue his impactful contributions.
(With inputs from ANI)