In the aftermath of a gripping third T20I where Australia chased down a mammoth total of 222 against India, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad came forward in defense of the Indian bowling lineup. Despite being armed with a significant competitive total, the bowlers faced heavy criticism for allowing a staggering 80 runs in the final five overs of the match.
The Indian bowlers, particularly Prasidh Krishna who suffered 23 runs in the concluding over, came under scrutiny for their performance. Krishna’s 0/68 in his 4-over spell has been recorded as the poorest figures by any Indian bowler in T20I history. Responding to concerns over the bowling attack’s ability to defend large totals, Gaikwad, during the post-match press conference, stated, “I don’t think it’s a concern because it’s almost like you are bowling with a wet ball. And it’s really tough on them.”
Gaikwad emphasized the challenges posed by the playing conditions, highlighting the difficulties faced by the bowlers due to the evening dew which rendered the ball slippery and hard to grip. “In these kinds of conditions, 12 runs per over or even 13 or 14 runs per overs are gettable, even while we are chasing,” he contended, recalling how the team had efficiently chased down 210 runs in the first game of the series.
The young opener further explained that the unexpected conditions shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. “It’s just that the conditions are slightly tougher for them, and we have to accept and move on,” Gaikwad remarked, showing a sense of understanding for his teammates’ plight.
In his remarkable 57-ball 123 knock, the batsman played a stellar role in setting up the formidable target for Australia. Yet, notwithstanding his heroics with the bat, he generously lavished praise on Glenn Maxwell’s indomitable innings of 104 not out off 48 balls. Maxwell’s aggressive play effectively steered Australia to victory from a tough position where they required 100 runs off 7.5 overs, narrowing down to 50 from the last 3.
Gaikwad admired the Australian’s critical performance, saying, “I think even Maxi batted really well. To win from a situation where they needed 100 from seven and a half overs and then 50 from 3 overs, I think it was a critical innings for him.”
While the debates around India’s ability to contain runs in the death overs persist, Gaikwad highlighted the efforts made by the bowlers under duress. “Our bowlers tried executing whatever they had in their control,” he asserted, taking into account the challenges imposed by the dewy conditions of the outfield.
Even with a towering score that would often guarantee victory, Gaikwad conveyed that due to the intense dew, such totals could be achievable by the chasing teams, a fact underscored by the tight finishes in recent matches.
The focus now shifts to the following game in the series as both teams prepare to face off in the fourth T20I with India looking to revisit their strategies particularly in the latter half of the game. The Indian team, despite the loss, remains optimistic about their ability to counterbalance the conditions and come back stronger in Raipur for the next encounter.
Gaikwad’s words offer a glimpse into the team’s mindset, focusing on adaptability and resilience. His defense of the Indian bowlers reflects the solidarity within the squad as they aim to put this loss behind them and gear up with renewed vigor for the challenges ahead in the series.