'To fill Kohli's shoes is hard': Ruturaj Gaikwad concurs the complexity to succeed Virat in T20Is

The retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja has left a big void on Team India's T20I side as the selectors need to establish some credible players in the role. Rohit and Kohli's importance was on display at the ICC men's T20 World Cup, as they were responsible for leading Team India towards the World Cup title win. a new Team India is officially leading the way in Zimbabwe, as the players will vie for the spots. But one of the team's stars and CSK skipper Rututaj Gaikwad believes it will be an arduous task to fill in for Virat Kohli.  

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Ruturaj Gaikwad finds it challenging to step in and succeed Virat Kohli after the latter's retirement

The trio of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja have opened a chance for the upcoming superstars who will vie for the spots. All eyes are locked on Virat's number three spot, but Ruturaj Gaikwad thinks it will be a tough challenge to fill in Kohli's shoes and succeed him as he has done for the team in the format. Instead, the number three batter against Zimbabwe stated that he is focused on making significant impacts with the bat in any capacity that the team management feels appropriate.

“This is a big topic and I think it’s not the right point to think about it. To even compare with him (Kohli) or try to fill in his shoes is relatively very tough and very hard. As I had said in the IPL as well, it is difficult to fill my best shoes as well. Definitely, you want to start your career, you want to start the way you want, you want to play your own game. So that's the priority right now.

"Focus on one game, focus on how you can contribute towards the team in whichever position you play and make sure you are on the winning side more often than not,” Gaikwad said on the eve of the third T20I against Zimbabwe. 

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After the T20 World Cup victory, Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the shortest format. This has created opportunities for up-and-coming players, and Gaikwad is one such outstanding batter who might claim the No. 3 place. It would be difficult for the selectors to choose who will replace the trio and assume their place in the T20Is, though, as a few younger cricket players have emerged.