Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra hailed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s consistent performances in the five-match T20I series against Australia. The flamboyant batter finished as the highest run-getter of the series as he amassed 223 runs in five matches at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 159.29.
Gaikwad scored a blistering knock of 123 runs off just 57 balls in the third T20I against Australia but his heroics went in vain as the visitors won that game by five wickets after Glenn Maxwell’s whirlwind knock.
The right-hander provided solid starts to the team along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Chopra feels it will be a toss-up between Gaikwad and Shubman Gill in the T20 World Cup squad as both of them are similar kinds of batters. The renowned commentator is hopeful that Rohit Sharma will get back into the scheme of things for the T20I format.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Ruturaj Gaikwad – he said that he is there. Ruturaj is going to have stiff competition because Shubman Gill also plays like that. Rohit Sharma will also come now. So suddenly you will feel that you aren’t even able to pick two among the three.”
The former India opener added: “So these runs were necessary. Keep scoring runs so that you are part of the squad when the World Cup comes. From his point of view, it’s important that he remains a part of the squad. It might be a direct shoot-out between him and Shubman Gill. You might keep one of them as both do similar things in T20 cricket.”
Chopra also reckons Yashasvi Jaiswal was able to score enough runs that the selectors will keep him in mind. The attacking southpaw scored 138 runs in five games at an average of 27.60 and a blistering strike rate of 168.29.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored enough runs that you will keep him in mind – left-right combination at the top. You will get a left-hander down the order in the form of Rinku (Singh). He could have scored a few more runs. He got out in the powerplay in all five matches.”
“He is aggressive and plays in one fashion. He has got this versatility – he knows how to bat in Tests and T20Is, eventually he will play ODIs too. He has done a very good job from his perspective. He is putting his name.”
India will now tour South Africa for three ODIs, as many T20Is, and two Test matches. The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on 10th December.
