"I feel it's a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management": Gaikwad on batting at No. 4

Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, in the first ODI against South Africa on Wednesday in Raipur, displayed his ability to adapt quickly to new demands. Gavaskar underscored the versatility when he was asked to bat at No. 4 in the first ODI, a position he had never batted at in his entire 50-over career prior to this series. Gaikwad repaid the faith by striking a magnificent 105 off 83 balls in the second game. However, he did not enjoy an ideal start, scoring only 8 off 14 balls in thye first game.

"They just told me that I would be batting at No. 4 this series. I feel it's a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management towards an opener who can bat at no. 4 as well. So I took it that way," Gaikwad said at the press conference.

"I think in the one-day format, even when I was opening the innings, I always tried to make sure that whenever I was set, I was able to bat till the 45th over and capitalise after that. So I knew somewhat how to play between overs 11 to 40, how to rotate strike, what the boundary options were. So I was pretty much confident about how I could go through."

"It was just a matter of how I could play my first 10-15 balls and after that, the process remains the same. I have been working really hard and obviously been in good touch as well, so I wanted to make sure that whenever I am set, I will try and make sure it is a big one."

He built a 195-run partnership with Virat Kohli, absorbing the early pressure and rotating strike intelligently. Kohli, meanwhile, slammed his 53rd ODI century. 

"I have been able to witness him since last week now. Whatever practice sessions we have had, he is batting unbelievably the amount of time he has and how he is able to convert it in the match as well. And even this game, I enjoyed a lot. Mostly, I was trying to be in my zone and not really think about how he is batting or how he is able to score runs."

"The chat in between was very clear. We had set 5-5-, 10-10-run target and how to manoeuvre the gaps or how to hit those boundaries, how we can rotate strike. So the chat was around that. I think we had really good running between the wickets as well. So really enjoyed it. Obviously, you dream of these kinds of moments, and to be able to have that kind of partnership, I really enjoyed a lot."