'They need to keep themselves motivated' - Gautam Gambhir addresses ODI future for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Team India clinched the One-Day International series against South Africa by 2-1 after a comprehensive win the series decider on Saturday at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The KL Rahul-led side chased down the 271-run target set by the visitors in just 39.5 overs, with a whopping nine wickets intact.

The star of the run chase was ace batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made a scintillating century, also his first in the format, to seal the deal for the Men in Blue. In the previous match, it was the hundred by dynamic batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who grabbed headlines for his knock. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was impressed by the duo, as both may not be seen featuring in the Playing XI in the next series that India play.

"The World Cup is two years away, but it's important that young boys coming into the set-up to stay in the present and grabbing their opportunities. Someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad, who batted out of position, but he's a quality player. We wanted to give him an opportunity in this series because the kind of form he was in with India A. And he actually grabbed that opportunity with both hands," Gambhir told the reporters in the post-match press conference.

Speaking on Ruturaj and Jaiswal's hundreds in the second and third ODIs, respectively, Gambhir said that the duo was able to grab their opportunity with both hands, and now they need to keep themselves ready whenever a chance comes their way. The 44-year-old also asserted that both the batters have a strong future in the Indian team.

"Getting a hundred in the second game, when we were under pressure, actually we were 40-2 [62-2] and then getting that kind of hundred was proper quality. And Yashasvi as well, we've seen him how much quality he is, especially what he does in test cricket. And obviously it's just the start of his career, especially in white ball cricket. Hopefully he has a massive future ahead and so is Ruturaj," Gambhir added.

India need 20-25 players for 2027 World Cup: Gambhir

With the 2027 ODI World Cup fast approaching, Gambhir & Co. are also on the lookout for a good bunch of players, who can fit into the squad for the global event. Going by current form and potential chances in the future, both Ruturaj and Jaiswal fit into the bills to make it to the bunch of players that will be travelling to Africa.

"We're trying and giving them opportunities whenever we can. Because we still want a reasonable group of players, around 20-25 good players in that group before the World Cup. Whenever they get an opportunity, both the guys need to grab that with both their hands. But once the captain and vice-captain are back, they are our starters. But yes, what they had to do, they've done that. And more importantly, I think they need to keep themselves motivated because they should be ready whenever they get that opportunity," Gambhir concluded.

After the Tests went to the Temba Bavuma-led side, and the one-dayers going to the Indians, the action now moves to five matches of T20I, with the series commencing at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.