Former India spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has given reasons behind his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad facing snub from selectors. Gaikwad’s last T20I appearance was in July 2024 against Zimbabwe. His last ODI game was against South Africa in December 2023. The 27-year-old averages nearly 40 in T20Is and hasn’t got many chances in ODIs. Ashwin believes that the selectors have several contenders for top order and Gaikwad is not the next in line.
“India’s top order is packed. Up top, we have a lot of contenders. Ruturaj, Yashasvi, Shubman Gill… they are either playing one-day cricket or aren’t in the scheme of things. In his last T20I, Gaikwad scored a 100, took Maxwell to the cleaners. But he hasn’t gotten an opportunity since (barring Zimbabwe series). It’s because there are so many people competing for two spots,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin also pointed out that Sanju Samson going on a century-scoring spree as an opener despite being a no.3 batter did not help Gaikwad’s case either. Also, Abhishek Sharma was under pressure but he scored a blazing fifty against England in the first T20I.
“Sanju Samson has taken one out of those two places. He scored two centuries. And came out of the syllabus. A No. 3 batter opened, scored runs and booked his slot. For the other one, pressure was mounting on Abhishek Sharma. He knew that players were gunning for that slot, including Gaikwad. The way he played under pressure. He got a message from the team management that you have the freedom to go and play carefree,” he added.
Gaikwad’s T20I and ODI numbers
Gaikwad has played 23 T20Is so far, scoring 633 runs from 20 innings at an average of 39.56 including one century and four fifties. His strike rate is 143.53. In ODIs, he has managed to score 115 runs from six innings including a solitary fifty.
Gaikwad plays ODI-like knock in Ranji
Currently, Gaikwad is leading Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He scored an 83-ball 89 in Maharashtra’s second innings against Krunal Pandya’s Baroda. His 89 was laced with 14 fours and a couple of sixes.
