Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad may struggle to secure a regular spot in the Indian team. Aakash Chopra said that Ruturaj Gaikwad might not be included in the squad in any format at present as Shubman Gill has gone far ahead in that race.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was not included in the Indian team for the Test series against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill was included in the squad for the home series. The first Test of the two-match series will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on September 19.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s phenomenal performances in domestic as well as international circuit
Ruturaj Gaikwad has an average of 42.69 in first-class cricket but has yet to make his Test debut for India. The All India Selection Committee has announced a 16-member squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh. Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli returned to the red-ball team, while Yash Dayal received his maiden India call-up.
There were also some notable absentees on the squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who recently led India C to win over Shreyas Iyer and Co. in the Duleep Trophy, failed to get a place in the squad. The 27-year-old scored 46 runs off 48 balls in the second innings against India D, which was laced with 8 fours and set the platform for a successful chase for his side.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has an average of 42.69 in first-class cricket but has yet to make his Test debut. The position where Ruturaj Gaikwad bats – opening slot – is also a reason why he is struggling to get into the Indian team. There is a jam-pack in India’s top order with skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashaswi Jaiswal at the opening slot and Shubman Gill at number 3.
Being a skipper and considering his recent performances, Rohit is an undisputed starter in the XI, while Yashaswi has been in red form in Test cricket as he scored over 700 runs in the Test series against England. Meanwhile, Shubman also got his mojo back in the England series and was the second-highest run-getter with 452 runs, which made it tough for Ruturaj Gaikwad to get into the Indian team.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 115 runs in six ODIs at a disappointing average of 19.17. However, he has performed better in T20Is, amassing 633 runs at an average of 39.56 and a strike rate of 143.53, with one century and four half-centuries.
Ahead of the test series vs Bangladesh, Former Indian opener now turned commentator Aakash Chopra raises concerns on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s place in India’s side ahead of 1st Test vs Bangladesh
Aakash Chopra raises concerns on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s place in India’s side ahead of 1st Test vs Bangladesh
Aakash Chopra reckons Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to wait to represent India consistently as Shubman Gill, a potential competitor for a top-order berth, has raced ahead of him. The cricketer-turned-commentator feels the Maharashtra batter is unlikely to get a place in any of the formats currently.
India will face Bangladesh in a two-Test series, with the first game commencing in Chennai on September 19. While Gill has been picked in the squad, Gaikwad has been ignored.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about Gaikwad’s place in India’s side.
“He has a fan club now. A base has been created that likes Ruturaj Gaikwad, which is fair. Honestly, when Rutu bats – ‘Dukh bhare din beete re bhaiya, ab sukh aayo re’ – you get a feeling like that. You watch him playing drives with the straight bat, cut shots and pulls. He looks technically compact, batting like pure desi ghee,” he responded
“However, what is happening with Ruturaj Gaikwad is that at this point, at least for another one to one-and-a-half years, he is at the wrong time. Shubman Gill has gone far ahead in that race. Whoever is attached to Indian cricket, whether it’s the captain, coaches or selectors, everyone has decided that Shubman Gill is your next captain and superstar,” Chopra added.
Shubman Gill captained India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in July this year. He was also Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy in the subsequent T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Aakash Chopra on a spot for Ruturaj Gaikwad in India’s Test side
Aakash Chopra noted that a vacant spot isn’t available for Ruturaj Gaikwad in Test cricket.
“There aren’t too many places. If we talk about Test cricket, Yashaswi (Jaiswal) is there with Rohit (Sharma) at the top. They will remain for quite some time. Then Shubman Gill has come at No. 3, Virat Kohli is at No. 4, and then you will have a wicketkeeper, which is Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul at No. 5 at the moment, and someone else might come later,” he explained in the same video.
While observing that the Men in Blue don’t play many ODIs, the former India opener added that the Chennai Super Kings skipper is unlikely to be picked in T20Is.
“India doesn’t play ODI cricket and will not play as well. So Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to wait. I don’t think anyone will consider him for T20 cricket in any case at this point in time because Virat and Rohit have left and the T20 template will be created differently where very aggressive batters will be selected. Shubman Gill’s name might also not be in that list eventually,” Chopra reasoned.
Gaikwad has aggregated 115 runs at an underwhelming average of 19.17 in six ODIs. He has fared better in T20Is, amassing 633 runs at an average of 39.56 and a strike rate of 143.53 in 20 innings. The first Test of the two-match series will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on September 19.