There has been noticeable disappointment among fans and cricket experts regarding the exclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad from both the Test and T20I series at home against Bangladesh, despite his impressive performances in both formats. Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was widely expected to earn a recall following his strong showing in the Duleep Trophy, where he led India C. However, his omission sparked frustration on social media, with many questioning the decision.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has previously been called up for India’s Test squad twice—once for the tour of the West Indies and later for the South Africa series—but he is yet to make his debut in the longest format. Additionally, he was named on the standby list for the World Test Championship (WTC) final last year but had to withdraw for personal reasons, with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking his place.
According to a report, the chief selector of the Indian cricket team, Ajit Agarkar, and the team management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, have a bigger plan for Gaikwad. The selectors are eyeing Gaikwad as the third opener for India’s upcoming five-match Test series against Australia later this year. This strategic decision explains why Gaikwad was not included in the T20I squad against Bangladesh, even though regular openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were rested.
To prepare Gaikwad for his potential role in the Australia series, the selectors have opted to keep him focused on red-ball cricket. He has been appointed captain of the Rest of India (ROI) side in the Irani Cup, starting in Lucknow on Tuesday, where ROI is facing Mumbai. The selectors believe that playing more red-ball matches will better prepare Gaikwad for the demands of the Test series in Australia.
A source close to the selection process confirmed that Gaikwad’s exclusion from the T20I series was a calculated move. “The selectors and team management want him as the third opener in Australia. You need a third opener there, as injuries could take place during a long five-Test series. There aren’t too many good candidates for the third opener’s slot than Gaikwad. This is why he has been asked to lead ROI in the Irani Cup,” the source explained.
While the decision to overlook Gaikwad for the Bangladesh series has left some fans disappointed, it appears that the selectors are making long-term plans for the talented batsman. With the Australia series looming, Gaikwad’s continued focus on red-ball cricket could see him emerge as a crucial player for India in one of the toughest Test series ahead.
