Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked three Indian players who would have been permanent in ODIs if they had played for another country. Chopra picked Devdutt Padikkal, Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad in his list, owing to their impressive List A record.
While Padikkal is yet to make his ODI debut, Gaikwad recently scored 105 runs off just 83 balls in the second ODI against South Africa.
Meanwhile, Padikkal and Gaikwad are in rich form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. While Padikkal is the highest run-getter in the tournament with 640 runs in seven matches, Gaikwad has scored 413 runs in as many games at an average of 82.60. Rinku Singh has amassed 408 runs in seven games of the tournament at an incredible average of 136.
Gaikwad has scored 5060 runs in 99 List A matches at an average of 58.83, including 20 centuries.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Had these three players played for a different country, they would have been the permanent part of their ODI team. Firstly, there is Ruturaj Gaikwad. If you see his List A numbers, it will leave you shocked. He has the best List A average till date, aggregating over 5000 runs in 99 games, out of which 20 are centuries. Gaikwad has played a handful of ODIs too and made a century in the previous series. But he is still struggling to find a place in the Indian team. That’s the kind of depth we have. Gaikwad is unstoppable.”
Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal has scored 2711 runs in 46 List A matches at a stunning average of 82.15.
“The second player in this list has a List A average of 82. At an average of 82, Padikkal has scored and made over 3000 runs only in 39 games. While Gaikwad has at least played, Padikkal is not even part of the conversation. He is brilliant but there is no place for Padikkal yet.”
Last but not the least, Chopra picked Rinku Singh in the list. The left-hander from UP has gathered 2405 runs in 69 List A matches at an average of 53.44.
“The third is Rinku Singh. He has played nearly 70 List A games and averages over 50. Rinku often doesn’t make hundreds because he plays in the middle-order. But Rinku’s numbers are still mind-blowing. Like Padikkal, Rinku is not even part of the conversation. That tells you about India’s depth of talent and it’s unbelievable.”
The trio of Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh will look to keep knocking on the selectors’ doors with their consistent performances in the domestic circuit.
