Learnt a lot from MS Dhoni but I have my own leadership style: Ruturaj Gaikwad

The rising star of Indian cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has set his sights on a leadership role that bears the weight of the nation's hopes. As he gears up to captain the Indian men's cricket team in their historic debut at the Asian Games, Gaikwad acknowledges the invaluable lessons he's imbibed from the legendary MS Dhoni.

However, he is determined to carve out his own unique path at the helm, one that encourages individuality and free expression on the field. Reflecting on his learnings from 42-year-old, Gaikwad emphasized the differences in their leadership styl., stating, 

"I got to learn a lot of things from him (Dhoni) but every person has a different style. His style is different, his personality is different and my personality is a bit different," Gaikwad told the media ahead of India's first encounter at Asian Games 2023.

Ruturaj Gaikwad on MS Dhoni’s influence on his captaincy

Dhoni, known for his astute cricketing acumen, had previously lauded Gaikwad's batting prowess, commending his ability to find rhythm effortlessly and excel in various batting scenarios. However, Gaikwad made it clear that while he would certainly draw inspiration from Dhoni and his handling of situations and players, he intends to chart his own course as captain. He stressed his desire to grant his fellow players the freedom to express themselves fully, allowing them to shine on the grand stage of the Asian Games.

"I will try to be myself and not really look at what he usually does. Obviously, yes you have to pick out some things that he does really well, how he handles situations and how he handles particular players during a match. Obviously, these are (a) few things I really took from him, but I would like to lead the way I want to. I just want the players to express themselves and give how much ever freedom that I can,” he added.