Ruturaj Left Out: CSK Legend Voices Worry

Former Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his opinion on India’s announced squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The 15-member squad announced on Saturday read Shubman Gill as the captain of the side, while Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul formed the core batting unit. While reflecting on the squad, the off-spinner specifically stated that ace batter Ruturaj Gaikwad could have been picked over the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. He feels that Pant is more suited to bat in the top order in white-ball cricket, whereas the Gaikwad is capable of playing spin well and rotating strike in the middle overs, which he put up on display with his maiden century during the recent South Africa series. “Could Gaikwad have been kept in the squad? I think that was a real possibility. The only spot of contention is between Pant and Gaikwad. It was a straight decision. At four or five, I am sticking my neck out, his batting against spin and ability to run between wickets and close out an innings is phenomenal. I personally don’t think Pant can bat in the middle-order in white-ball cricket at the moment. I think he is a top-three batter”, said Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat. The real toss-up in the selection was between Pant and Gaikwad after Shreyas Iyer’s comeback into the team after his recovery. In the end, the selectors decided to go with an extra wicketkeeping option and a left-handed batter in Pant, whereas the Maharashtra cricketer found himself dropped despite proving his mettle against South Africa. Gaikwad, who also captains CSK in the IPL, has one of the finest records in List-A cricket right now. In 97 List-A matches, he has scored 4904 runs at an impressive average of 57.69 and a strike rate of 102.06. On the other hand, Pant is yet to make a significant impact in white-ball cricket, contrary to his exploits in the longest format of the game. Including Iyer was a straight decision, Ashwin believes The former India cricketer also recognized the vice-captain Iyer’s comeback. Ashwin believes that the decision to slot in Iyer after his recuperation from the spleen injury in late 2025 during the series against Australia Down Under was a rather straightforward decision. “It was a straight decision. Shreyas Iyer deserved to come back after the injury, so no discussion there. It is his rightful position”, he said. With the competition being tight and spots being limited, it will be interesting to see if Gaikwad can turn the heads of the selectors his way going forward. Nonetheless, the Men in Blue will be starting the series against the BlackCaps on January 11 with the first match to be played in Vadodara.

The off-spinner specifically mentioned that ace batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad may have been selected over wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant when considering the team. He believes that in white-ball cricket, Pant is better suited to bat in the top order, whereas Ruturaj can play spin and rotate strike in the middle overs, as demonstrated by his first century in the most recent South Africa series.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a former all-rounder with the Chennai Super Kings, expressed his thoughts on India’s declared team for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Shubman Gill was named captain of the team in the 15-man roster that was revealed on Saturday. The core batting group consisted of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.

The sole area of disagreement is between Ruturaj and Pant.

Was Ruturaj able to remain with the team? That was a real possibility, in my opinion. It was an easy choice. I’m stretching my neck out at four or five because of his incredible ability to run between wickets, bat against spin, and finish an innings. In my opinion, Pant is now unable to bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket. In a video posted to his Ash Ki Baat YouTube channel, Ashwin stated, “I believe he is a top-three batter.”

Following Shreyas Iyer’s return to the team following his recuperation, the true selection contest was between Pant and Gaikwad. The Maharashtra cricketer was dropped after demonstrating his abilities against South Africa, but the selectors ultimately chose to go with a left-handed batter in Pant and an additional wicketkeeping alternative.

Ruturaj currently has one of the best records in List-A cricket and captains CSK in the IPL. He has amassed 4904 runs at an outstanding average of 57.69 and a strike rate of 102.06 in 97 List-A games. Contrary to his achievements in the game’s longest format, Pant is yet to have a major effect in white-ball cricket.

Ashwin thinks it was an easy choice to include Iyer.

The former cricket player for India acknowledged the return of vice-captain Iyer as well. Ashwin thinks it was a fairly simple choice to include Iyer in the series against Australia Down Under following his recovery from the spleen ailment in late 2025.

The choice was straightforward. There’s no need to debate Shreyas Iyer’s return following his injury. He stated, “It is his legitimate position.

Going forward, it would be fascinating to see if Gaikwad can attract the attention of the selectors given the fierce competition and restricted number of seats. However, the first game of the series between the Men in Blue and the BlackCaps will take place in Vadodara on January 11.