Ruturaj Gaikwad’s selection over Rishabh Pant should have been a “clear and logical” choice, according to former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has questioned the reasoning behind India’s ODI squad selection for the forthcoming three-match series against New Zealand. Despite Gaikwad’s recent impressive performances, Ashwin believed that his exclusion went against team balance and form.
Ashwin clarified that Gaikwad would have been a better fit for India’s ODI lineup and had earned his spot by performing when given the chance. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin stated that the choice between a second wicketkeeper and a specialist batter was crucial, and he thought the solution was clear.
“The only spot of contention is between Pant and Gaikwad. It was a straight decision. Shreyas Iyer deserved to come back after the injury, so no discussion there. It is his rightful position.”
Ashwin went on to explain why he thought Gaikwad was a better choice given the current situation.
“Between a second wicketkeeper and a batter, you can get a keeper from anywhere to cover. At four or five, I’m sticking my neck out, his batting against spin, his running between the wickets and his ability to close out an innings is phenomenal,” Ashwin added.
Mohammed Siraj, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, and skipper Shubman Gill returned to India’s squad on Saturday. Despite earning his first ODI century against South Africa in Raipur and maintaining his strong form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a century and fifty in his past two games, Gaikwad was left out to make room for these inclusions.
Ashwin also discussed Pant’s place in white-ball cricket, arguing that the left-hander belongs in the top order instead of the middle. On the other hand, he thinks Gaikwad is a perfect fit for the middle overs in ODIs because of his skill set.
Ashwin made a brief mention of India’s veteran hitters, pointing out that while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to lead the batting order, opportunities for guys like Gaikwad are still scarce. He claimed that their presence invariably makes it harder for up-and-coming players to have long runs.
“Ruturaj will get a long rope only when Rohit and Kohli decide to hang up their boots. Till then, getting a long run for him is going to be hard,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin concluded by advising Gaikwad to maintain his patience and performance, emphasizing that in India’s extremely competitive selection process, consistency is still the best way to remain relevant.
Meanwhile, former India batsman Subramaniam Badrinath also questioned the selection specially the inclusion of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy over the in-form Gaikwad. Although the squad announcement mostly went according to plan, Badrinath thinks that this particular call revealed a flaw in the selecting procedure.
In a YouTube video, Badrinath expressed his opinions, stating that he found it difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind selecting Nitish, particularly when India already had established all-round options in the team. He thought it was terrible that Gaikwad, who has always performed when given the chance, had to lose out once more.
“Along with the two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy is there in the squad. I’ve no idea why he’s there in the side,” Badrinath said.
Badrinath went one step farther and questioned the decision’s overall reasoning.
“Why is he not there in the team and why is Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team? There is definitely some inconsistency there,” he added.
“The other team selections were along expected lines and are very good. The only concern is the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy over Ruturaj Gaikwad.”
The absence of Hardik Pandya, who was rested for the New Zealand series, is thought to have contributed to Nitish’s selection. However, it is still unclear how much Nitish would really be deployed, especially as a bowling option, given that India chose a pace-heavy lineup that features four specialist seamers.
Nitish’s case at the ODI level is not significantly strengthened by the numbers. In his two ODI appearances thus far, the all-rounder has amassed 27 runs without taking a wicket. His abrupt inclusion is even more questionable because he did not play in the most recent ODI series against South Africa.
