After scoring his maiden T20I century for India, Ruturaj Gaikwad attended the press conference but his knock came for a losing cause as India lost to Australia by 5 wickets. However, he explained the changing conditions that posed a challenge for India early on. He also shared how he held his aggression back initially to adapt to the pitch and managed to build a partnership in the middle as well.

“Initially I thought it was a bit tacky, the ball was stopping a little, and there was some movement in the air and off the pitch. The first two-three overs, the wicket was like that, and we lost two wickets in one over. It was important to stitch a partnership but after 7-8 overs the wicket got better,” he said. “You cannot tend to lose three wickets in the powerplay. Knowing that Surya was there [and] he will play his shots, my plan and the communication was simple – that I will bat for a short span of time and [then] take the innings on.”

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However, despite a massive total of 222/3, Ruturaj Gaikwad gave credit to Australian batter Glenn Maxwell whose innings was very crucial, especially when he walked out to bat. Soon after Maxwell had walked out, at no. 4 in the powerplay, Australia lost their third wicket on 68 runs as well, still requiring another 155 inside 13.4 overs to keep the hope alive in the ongoing series as well. And, Maxwell scored Australia’s joint-fastest century in T20Is, off just 47 balls to script a spectacular last-ball chase as well.

“I think Maxi batted really well, and to win from a situation where they needed 100 from seven, seven-and-a-half overs, and then 50 from three overs, it was a creditable innings from him. Our bowlers tried executing what they had in their control, and the dew was making the ball slip, so it was tough for the bowlers as well. Even though we scored 230 in the last game, in between we felt the match will go till the last over, so with this kind of dew, these totals are bound to happen and bound to be chased. I don’t think death bowling is a concern. In these conditions, 12 runs an over, and even 13-14 runs an over is gettable. Even in the first game, we saw how easily we managed to chase 210. The conditions are slightly tougher for them so we have to accept that and move on,” Ruturaj Gaikwad concluded.