Follow UsWith utterly remarkable numbers such as 4,534 runs at an average of 57.39, Ruturaj Gaikwad, with a List A record like this, would have been a sure-shot starter for most countries in the world. But such is the stern competition in India, particularly in white-ball cricket, that Gaikwad has played all of 6 ODIs for the national team, with the last of those coming in 2023.
An injury to incumbent skipper Shubman Gill, though, opened up a spot in the ODI squad last week, and Gaikwad grabbed the opportunity with both hands to enter the squad with scores of 117 & 68* in the unofficial ODI series against South Africa ‘A’.
There is no certainty that Gaikwad will be in the starting XI for the first ODI in Ranchi tomorrow (November 30), but stand-in captain KL Rahul confirmed that the 28-year-old will definitely get an opportunity to prove himself in the three-match series.
"Ruturaj Gaikwad is a phenomenal player. The dynamics of our ODI top 5-6 is such, it is very settled. But he has done well in whatever limited opportunities he has had. Looking forward to giving him the opportunity in this series,” Rahul said today ahead of the first ODI.
For a spot in the starting XI, Gaikwad might incidentally be fighting with Rishabh Pant, who has also made a comeback to the 50-over side after an extended absence. Rahul did not reveal whether Pant will start, but stated that the left-hander will certainly take the gloves if he’s named in the XI.
"For Rishabh, he is good enough to play as a specialist batter but we will see tomorrow. We are still discussing the playing XI, we will finalise this evening,” Rahul said.
“Rishabh missed out (from ODIs) due to injuries, we know what he brings to the team. You will know tomorrow but if he plays he will take the gloves.”
Rahul and India will be entering this ODI series on the backdrop of a humiliating Test whitewash at home, and the 0-2 defeat against the Proteas laid bare the team’s deficiencies against spin bowling.
At the press conference, the 33-year-old was asked about the side’s troubles against playing spin, but the stand-in captain said that he did not have a ‘definite answer’ for how and why the batters are now struggling to tackle the spinners.
"We haven’t played spin well enough in the last couple of seasons. I really don’t know why we did it earlier and why we aren’t doing it now,” Rahul said.
“I don’t have a definitive answer. All we can do is to look at how to get better individually and as a batting group,” he added.
Rahul said that, when it comes to technical improvements with the bat, changes won’t happen overnight, but hoped for the players to be better equipped by the time the Sri Lanka and Australia Test series come about next year.
“It won’t change overnight. We’ll look at what improvements we need and hopefully by the time the Sri Lanka and Australia series come around, we’ll be better prepared. We’ll also reach out to seniors who played spin exceptionally well,” he said.