Filling Virat Kohli’s big shoes ‘hard’ for Ruturaj Gaikwad

Harare, july 9

India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad knows well that it will be “tough” and “hard” to replace retired Virat Kohli at the No. 3 spot in T20Is and said he is just focusing on making valuable contributions with the bat in whatever position the team leadership deems fit.

This is a big topic and I think it’s not the right point to think about it. To even compare with him (Kohli) or try to fill in his shoes is relatively very tough and very hard. Definitely, you want to start your career, you want to start the way you want, you want to play your own game. — Ruturaj Gaikwad, India batter

The retirement of Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the shortest format following the T20 World Cup triumph has opened the doors for the upcoming players and Gaikwad is one such talented batter who has the potential to seal a place at the desired spot.

“This is a big topic and I think it’s not the right point to think about it. To even compare with him (Kohli) or try to fill in his shoes is relatively very tough and very hard,” Gaikwad said on the eve of India’s third T20I against Zimbabwe.

“As I had said in the IPL as well, it is difficult to fill my best shoes as well. Definitely, you want to start your career, you want to start the way you want, you want to play your own game. So that’s the priority right now. Focus on one game, focus on how you can contribute towards the team in whichever position you play and make sure you are on the winning side more often than not.”

Gaikwad has batted at No. 3 position for India in the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe but the Pune-born cricketer said he has no preference and will bat wherever the team requires him.

“No, wherever the team wants, I will bat there. There is no problem. There is not much difference between the opening and the No. 3 because you have to play the new ball. So there is not much difference,” he said.