Key Highlights
- The 28-year-old slammed 105 from only 83 deliveries in the second ODI against South Africa last month and yet is out of the squad for New Zealand series. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe fact that made the century even more remarkable was that he made it while batting in the middle order even though he is primarily a top order batter. More from First Cricket Mustafizur Rahman breaks silence on IPL snub by KKR: 'Nothing much I can do' 'Injustice with Mohammed Shami': Bengal head coach lashes out at selectors after pacer ignored for New Zealand ODIsAshwin explains Gaikwad omissionFormer India spinner R Ashwin said that Gaikwad was in competition against wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant for a back-up middle-order batting slot.
- He felt that Pant got the nod ahead of Gaikwad because he was a left-hander..@ashwinravi99 on Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from the ODI Squad.
- Winning Bid: The Ultimate Auction Show (@crikipidea) January 3, 2026“At four or five, I’m sticking my neck out, his batting against spin, his running between the wickets and his ability to close out an innings is phenomenal.
- So, you can consider him as a middle order batter. Quick ReadsView All'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new reportPCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy“In the middle order now it is a toss-up between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rishabh Pant.
- The only thing that could have worked in the favour of Pant is the fact that he is left-handed.”Ashwin also reckons that Gaikwad will not be able to get a consistent run in the Indian side till the time Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are playing international cricket. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD“Ruturaj will get a long rope only when Rohit and Kohli decide to hang up their boots,” Ashwin said.
