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Ahead of India’s first T20I against South Africa in Durban, Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that the team had a friendly six-hitting competition during the five-match series against Australia. Notably, the Men in Blue dominated the Matthew Wade-led side in the series and won it comfortably by 4-1.
Speaking about the team dynamics during the series, the top-order batter revealed that some of the players really enjoyed the six-hitting competition as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh emerged as the clear winners. He also added that the team didn’t practice much ahead of the opening T20I against the Proteas but they are ready for a six-hitting battle against the Aiden Markram-led side.
“There was a six-hitting competition between some of the players during the five-match T20I series against Australia. We didn’t have much to practice before the 1st T20I against South Africa, however, we had some before the series opener against Australia. We had fun and enjoyed hitting sixes during the practice, so obviously, I would say Rinku and Yashasvi are far ahead of all the others,” Gaikwad told Star Sports.
Yashasvi is the kind of player who doesn’t hold back: Gaikwad
The opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad experienced some challenges in the series against Australia. Even though Ruturaj finished as the leading run-scorer, there was room for improvement for Yashasvi. Meanwhile, speaking about his new opening partner, Gaikwad stated that the youngster doesn’t hold back and plays an aggressive brand of cricket as his role is to hold one end.
“Mostly, he is the one who goes for the attacking shots from Ball 1. Yashasvi is the kind of player who doesn’t hold back. I just have to figure out a few risks, and play according to what the team requires. Definitely, when someone like Yashasvi is going hard at the other end, it’s obviously crucial for me to hold the other end and let him express the way he wants to. I enjoy batting with him,” Gaikwad concluded.
