'You keep us motivated to go to gym' - Ruturaj Gaikwad shares a light moment with Yuzvendra Chahal after Vizag T20I

India opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, in a light-hearted conversation with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, said that the latter kept him motivated to go to the gym, as they were talking about an incident that saw the batter fall on the ground as he was ducking a ball. He also thanked the trainers for working on the players’ core.

It was in the fifth over of the third T20I game in Vizag between India and South Africa when Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje bowled a bouncer at Gaikwad, which the Indian successfully ducked after initially deciding to play. It came after Gaikwad hit the first two deliveries in that over for fours, causing Nortje to bowl a well-directed bouncer. “Thanks to our trainers as they are using our core strength beautifully, And when people like you go to the gym, you keep us motivated,” said Gaikwad.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his maiden international fifty in Vizag

The duo was instrumental in India’s victory over Proteas as the leg-spinner ended with bowling figures of three wickets for 20 runs, which earned him the Player of the Match award, and Gaikwad top-scored with 57 runs off 35 balls, bringing up his maiden fifty in international cricket. To Gaikwad’s comments about Chahal motivating him to hit the gym, the leggie responded, “What do you mean by people like me?,” as both shared a chuckle, in the video shared by BCCI’s official handle on Twitter.

Chahal TV is BACK! 📺 👏

Enjoy this special segment of @yuzi_chahal chatting up with @Ruutu1331 after #TeamIndia's win in Vizag. 👌 👌 – By @28anand

Full interview 🎥 🔽 #INDvSA | @Paytm https://t.co/nzzoyQBrPO pic.twitter.com/28DH2xK3zt

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2022

Coming to the third T20I, India were at gunpoint as South Africa were leading the series 2-0, meaning that the hosts had to win three games on the spin. India batted first and began the innings sharply with both the openers, Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, scoring fifties, amassing 97 for the first wicket by the 10th over. After a bit of a slump in the middle order, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya who added the finishing touch with an unbeaten knock of 31 runs off 21 balls, taking India’s total to 179.

South Africa’s chase was nullified by Indian bowlers right from the start, as the visitors lost four wickets for 57 runs after nine overs. The top score of the innings was only 29, scored by Heinrich Klaasen, courtesy of Chahal, along with Harshal Patel who finished the game by picking four wickets for 25 runs. South Africa were bowled out for 131 in 19.1 overs, and India pulled one back in the series to make it 2-1.