Former Indian Test opener Sadagopan Ramesh has questioned the selectors for not picking Ruturaj Gaikwad in India’s squad for the three-match series against New Zealand. Ramesh said Gaikwad could have been selected ahead of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Gaikwad recently scored a fine knock of 105 runs in the second ODI against South Africa. Furthermore, Gaikwad has scored 4904 runs in 97 List A matches at a stunning average of 57.69.
Gaikwad has been in rich form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 257 runs in five matches at an average of over 64 and a blistering strike rate of 120.65.
Ramesh said on his YouTube Channel, “He could’ve been selected in the squad in place of someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Why is a fifth seam-bowling option required? Whether or not Reddy will bat or bowl is unclear. When it’s not even clear whether he will feature in the eleven, someone like Gaikwad should’ve been there in the squad.”
The former left-hander said Gaikwad should have been part of the squad even if Shreyas Iyer gets fit for selection.
“India doesn’t need a fifth seam-bowling option in the original squad for a home series. Even if there is an injury in the squad, someone can be called up soon as it is a home series. What they may have thought is if Shreyas Iyer doesn’t clear the fitness test, Ruturaj Gaikwad can slot into the playing eleven. Even if Iyer is fit and plays all three matches, I feel Gaikwad was a must in the squad.”
The former flamboyant batter said Gaikwad should be rewarded by the selectors just like Yashasvi Jaiswal has been given his chance.
“A friend called me discussed how well Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are performing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but failed to make it to the Indian squad. But Ruturaj Gaikwad has missed out despite sensational performances for India. Bad luck for that guy. He should have at least been in the squad, given he scored a ton in the previous series. The way selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gaikwad should have been too.”
“Okay, he scored a hundred by batting out of position and the selectors asked him to vacate the spot since the original candidate returned. Now if he goes out of form in domestic cricket and the selectors use that to keep him out of the side, it doesn’t seem justified.”
India will next take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, starting 11th January.
