Former India opener Aakash Chopra has voiced concern over the exclusion of star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad from both the India and India-A squads across all formats, despite his recent performances. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who captained India to gold at the 2022 Asian Games (held in 2023), has not been picked for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 squad nor India-A’s multi-day and one-day matches.
Chopra pointed out that Gaikwad has been among the runs in domestic competitions like the Duleep Trophy and IPL, noting his consistency with the bat. He emphasised that selectors should take note, especially since the batter has not just performed, but also led a major tournament-winning side. “He was the captain in the Asian Games. We won the Asian Games under Ruturaj’s captaincy,” Chopra remarked, highlighting that leadership credentials are already in place.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Controversy Around Selections and Injuries
One reason given for Gaikwad’s non-selection was a past elbow injury that kept him out of parts of IPL 2025, and reportedly impacted his availability for some tours. Chopra acknowledged this but questioned whether it justifies his omission from both India and India-A in every format. He felt that with his proven ability and technical solidity, Gaikwad deserves at least one format—and certainly a spot in one of the India-A squads.
What This Means for India’s Selection Strategy
This situation has raised questions about India’s selection logic, especially around rewarding domestic form and leadership. If players like Gaikwad—who have strong domestic stats and leadership credentials—are overlooked, it may send mixed signals. Chopra believes that selectors should treat performance and leadership as critical inputs, rather than relying solely on past international exposure.
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