India vs South Africa - "Not About Being Reckless": Young India Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad On Attacking Bowlers In T20Is After Scoring Maiden Fifty

He hasn't been able to translate his IPL form into national colours but India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad is not too worried as for him it is all about "staying consistent mentally" and "trusting the process". The 25-year-old from Maharashtra has amassed 1207 runs in 36 IPL matches so far but managed just 120 in six T20Is, including the maiden fifty that he scored in the third T20 against South Africa here on Tuesday. Asked if life is on the edge for him, Gaikwad said: "Not really on the edge, it is just part and parcel of the sport.

"Last year I had a really good year so people come with a lot of expectations when you have a great year even in IPL and domestic." His form was patchy in the IPL this year as well before he turned things around, scoring 368 runs, including three fifties in 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings.

"In the IPL, the wicket was slightly bowler-friendly. There was no flat wicket, it was two-paced, the ball was turning, and there was some swing.

"So 3-4 games in IPL, I got out to good balls where in some dismissals, some good shots went to the fielder's hand, it is part of T20 cricket.

"You will have off days and really bad days. It is a matter of staying consistent mentally, trusting your process." In the first two games, Gaikwad scored 23 and 1 to once again raise questions on his ability as an opener. However, he delivered when it mattered most, slamming a 35-ball 57 studded with seven fours and two maximums.

"Coming into the series as well, the first two wickets I felt were on the tacky side. It was stopping a bit batting first in the last two games but here the wicket was good, ball was coming into the bat, so I played my game.

"I changed nothing, my thought process, everything was the same." In the