The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India's squad for the Asian Games on Friday. While the senior men's squad will be busy in preparation for the ODI World Cup around the same time at home, the Indian cricket board named a second-string squad for the men's cricket competition in the Asian Games which will be played in the T20 format. Ruturaj Gaikwad was named the skipper of the 15-member contingent that will travel to China for the quadrinnial event which was orginally set to be played in 2022 but was postponed to 2023.
And now less than 24 hours after the squad announcement was made, the captain of the Indian men's cricket team that will compete in Asian Games has said that the aim is to win the gold medal at the Asian Games.
"Really thankful for the opportunity by the BCCI and the management and the selectors. Playing for India itself is a proud feeling and leading the side in such a big event would be a great opportunity for me and also for all the other team members," Gaikwad said in a video shared by the BCCI on their official social media handle.
"We all are youngsters and we have been gelling around well with each other since last 1 year or last 2 years. Playing IPL against each other, playing India A games, then some India games as well. I think's it's a fun group to be a part of. I think it would be really exciting for everyone who are part of the squad to represent the country in Asian Games and obviosuly to win the medal for the country is something that we always grew up watching on television and seeing athletes win it for our country," he added.
"The dream would be to win the gold medal, stand on the podium and sing the national anthem for the country," he concluded.