According to former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, the management of India have to think about including Ruturaj Gaikwad in the current Test team. Chopra noted that Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, the two bench choices available, are both left-handers, which might not be the best fit for the team’s present lineup.
South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer benefited greatly from India’s choice to include six left-handed hitters in their playing XI for the opening Test. The seasoned tweaker took eight wickets during the Test, effectively capitalising on the match-up advantage. India’s worries were heightened after captain Shubman Gill was hurt during the Kolkata Test. It is still unclear if he will play in the forthcoming encounter in Guwahati, which makes India’s selection decisions even more difficult.
Is it appropriate for Ruturaj Gaikwad to be included in the Test squad? Since the team has already been chosen and nobody has left, you may be asking how he was chosen. The involvement of Shubman Gill is still unclear. Even though he was released from the hospital, his involvement is still in doubt, Chopra stated, as reported by The Indian Express.
“You’ll need to play someone in case he doesn’t become accessible. Two other left-handers, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, are seated outside. There are currently six left-handers in your starting lineup. Would you like seven left-handers? Perhaps you want to change that,” he continued.
Ruturaj has been playing exceptionally well, Chopra noted, especially in the current India A series against South Africa A.
Ruturaj has already scored a century and a half in the first two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) of the three-match series, giving the Men in Blue a 2-0 lead. Ruturaj has been continuously outstanding in all formats, especially the Ranji Trophy, where he has dominated with the bat, Chopra added.
“He is playing very well. For India A in white-ball cricket, he is scoring runs. I’m not sure why he hasn’t played in the current format for the India A side, but he has been scoring runs wherever he goes, whether it’s in the Ranji Trophy or the Duleep Trophy,” Chopra added.
Even in the middle order, he bats. Technically, he appears small. He seems to have been born to play Test cricket, and he scored a century in T20I cricket against Australia on this same pitch. Therefore, I’m arguing with him to paradrop and bring Shubman Gill in if there’s any chance he won’t be playing,” he continued.
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