By Swapneel Deshpande August 22, 2023
India’s emerging batting star, Ruturaj Gaikwad, shared valuable leadership advice he received from the cricketing legend MS Dhoni following India’s victory in the second T20I against Ireland at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin on August 20. Gaikwad’s resilient 58-run knock off 43 balls contributed to India’s 33-run win, securing the series against Ireland.
Gaikwad mentioned that Dhoni emphasized the complexity of the captaincy role and advised him to focus on one game at a time without worrying about the future. Drawing on his experience with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League, Gaikwad noted that he doesn’t pay much attention to social media, a lesson he learned from his time at CSK.
Gaikwad expressed his viewpoint during the post-match press conference, saying, “I think leadership role is a very complicated thing to be honest. What Mahi bhai always says is to take it one game at a time. Just be in the present moment, don’t worry about the future… I am pretty much clear about giving my best in the field, coming back home, chilling with my friends.”With leadership responsibilities in sight, as he prepares to captain Team India in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Gaikwad shared his perspective on leadership. He believes that leadership involves instilling maximum confidence in his teammates and understanding their viewpoints. He emphasized the importance of backing players and providing them with the freedom to make decisions on the field.
He elaborated on his approach to leadership, stating, “Leadership for me is to give maximum confidence to the ten players, who are playing… Make sure they back themselves first. Too many suggestions also create confusion; this is what I believe.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s insights into leadership reflect the emphasis on a player-centric approach, fostering confidence and empowerment on the field. His journey from the IPL to international cricket has equipped him with not only cricketing skills but also valuable lessons in leadership, emphasizing the significance of staying focused on the present and supporting teammates in their roles.
As Gaikwad continues to showcase his prowess with the bat and prepares for his captaincy stint, his willingness to learn from veterans like MS Dhoni and implement these lessons bodes well for his future in Indian cricket’s leadership landscape.
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