Last Updated:
Ruturaj Gaikwad was in line to get picked in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he missed out on a place as a backup opener.
Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates after scoring century in Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Former opening batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who has also served as captain and chief selector of the Indian men’s cricket team in the past, has questioned the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for leaving Ruturaj Gaikwad out of India’s Test team for the upcoming series against Australia as well as the T20I series against South Africa.
After the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, the Indian men’s cricket team will travel to South Africa for a four-match T20I series that starts on November 8 in Durban, and then India will play five Tests against Australia Down Under.
The BCCI selectors announced India’s squad for T20I and Test series on October 25, but in both squads there was no place for Gaikwad, who has a T20I century to his name. Instead of being with the senior Indian team, Gaikwad will lead India A in the two four-day matches against Australia A and then face the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team in one practice match before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth, who is the member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, minced no words in asking Agarkar the logic for leaving Gaikwad out despite his good performances in domestic cricket as well as in the IPL for CSK.
Gaikwad scored a century in the second Ranji Trophy match for Maharashtra against Mumbai and impressed with his performances for India C in the Duleep Trophy 2024 matches as well last month.
“I don’t understand it at all. When they say that Mayank Yadav, he bowled for a few overs, and now he has also become unfit like Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag. For Ruturaj, I don’t understand at all. Poor fellow! What will he do? If he scores a century, then they can take him back into the T20I squad, right? He scored two first-class centuries but still didn’t get a chance. He got scores to back him up. Where should that guy be going now?” Srikkanth asked.
Gaikwad was reportedly in line to be part of India’s Test squad for series against Australia as a back-up opener, but instead of him, Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran was picked in the 18-member squad.
Srikkanth said he is not questioning Easwaran’s selection in the team but is curious to know about the selector’s plan for Gaikwad.
“Abhimanyu Easwaran’s performance has been brilliant. I’m not questioning that. But what are you doing with Ruturaj? Why aren’t they twirling around with him? What’s the plan? Let them do what they want with him. Just look at the mindset of that kid and tell me what he should be doing in this match against you guys. He keeps on hitting the opponents all day long, but then, when it comes to international cricket, you leave him behind. And when they give him a chance, it’s for the Rest of India, or India A,” he said.
