WATCH: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal share admiration for MS Dhoni | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As Team India prepares to face West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series in Dominica on Wednesday, young Indian batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are vying for a spot in the playing XI, expressed their admiration for former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a video shared by the BCCI on Tuesday.
In the video, Jaiswal, against a picturesque backdrop, reminisced about his first meeting with Dhoni, saying, “When I met sir (Dhoni) for the first time, I didn’t have a lot of words to say. When you meet somebody whom you have been following from childhood, you get goosebumps. It was a blessing to see him, and I am still out of words.”

Gaikwad, who plays for Chennai Super Kings under Dhoni’s captaincy, responded by expressing his gratitude at being Dhoni’s teammate. “Even for me, I feel I am very lucky and fortunate to be able to spend time with him,” Gaikwad said.
He continued, “I always observed that after every match, a lot of players are desperate to meet him [Dhoni] and learn from his experience. Even just to talk to him. Then I feel like I am very lucky to spend each and every day with him for two months. I can talk to him anytime, and whenever I need something he remains available for the whole year.”
“I think he remains a major factor in my career, my upbringing – how to stay grounded. Performance will go up and down, but how to stay neutral. Basic things like that,” Gaikwad added.

The team, led by Rohit Sharma, is expected to make a few changes from the side that faced Australia, with veteran Cheteshwar Pujara dropped and paceman Mohammed Shami rested.
This presents an opportunity for the uncapped Yashasvi or Ruturaj to stake their claim for the number three batting position. Additionally, the selection dilemma in the fast bowling department lies between Jaydev Unadkat and Navdeep Saini.