Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has welcomed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s recall to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming South Africa series. However, he predicts that the talented Maharashtra batsman may not find a place in the playing eleven. Moreover, Chopra believes Yashasvi Jaiswal will partner captain Rohit Sharma as the opening batsman instead.
Squad Announcement Creates Selection Debate: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The series begins on November 30 in Ranchi. Subsequently, matches will take place in Raipur and Visakhapatnam on December 3 and 6 respectively.
Gaikwad earned his recall following exceptional performances in domestic cricket. He has consistently scored heavily in recent tournaments, making his selection almost inevitable. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has played just one ODI so far, also features in the squad.
However, key batsmen Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer remain unavailable due to various reasons. Consequently, the selection decisions have attracted significant attention from cricket fans and experts alike.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra explained his reasoning behind the likely team composition. He acknowledged that Gaikwad’s impressive run-scoring made his selection nearly certain. Furthermore, some people suggested Abhishek Sharma could receive a call-up instead.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored so many runs that his selection was almost confirmed. There was a thought that Abhishek Sharma could come in. But you cannot do that,” Chopra stated. Nevertheless, he emphasized that fairness demands giving Jaiswal priority.
“It is imperative for Yashasvi Jaiswal to get his chance first. Even though Ruturaj has been picked in the squad, I don’t think he will be part of the XI. I see Jaiswal opening the innings with Rohit Sharma,” Chopra added.
Why Jaiswal Gets the Nod?
Chopra’s preference for Jaiswal reflects India’s long-term planning across formats. The young left-hander has already made a strong impact in Test cricket. Similarly, he has shown promise in T20 internationals as well.
Moreover, Jaiswal offers the aggressive start that modern ODI cricket demands. His left-handed batting also provides variety at the top of the order. Therefore, the team management likely views him as a better fit for the opening position alongside Rohit.
This approach aligns with the selectors’ emphasis on stability ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy. Instead of constantly shuffling roles, they prefer establishing clear progression paths for young batsmen.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Unclear Role: Chopra also raised concerns about all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy’s position in the team. Reddy has been named in the squad due to Hardik Pandya’s absence through injury. However, his role remains confusing even after ten international matches.
“Till now, I am not able to understand what the team wants Nitish Kumar Reddy to do. It’s the same theme in Test cricket as well,” Chopra observed. He pointed out that Reddy sometimes bats but doesn’t bowl, while other times he bowls but doesn’t bat.
“On the day he gets a chance to bat, they forget to bowl him. And when he bowls, he doesn’t bat. When he bats, he can’t make runs and he is not given enough overs to try and take wickets,” Chopra explained.
Furthermore, Chopra highlighted specific examples of this confusion. In the ongoing Test, Reddy bowled just six out of 150 overs. Meanwhile, in Delhi against West Indies, he didn’t bowl a single over.
“He has played 10 matches, but one is still not able to understand his role. It’s a very strange one. Anyways, Hardik Pandya is not there, so this will be his opportunity,” Chopra concluded.
KL Rahul will lead the side in this series, stepping in as captain due to Gill’s unavailability. This marks an important phase for Indian cricket. The team aims to bounce back from recent struggles in the Test format.
Additionally, this series provides an excellent opportunity to test bench strength. With several regular players unavailable, younger players can prove their worth. The return of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds experience to the lineup.
The matches will help selectors finalize combinations ahead of major tournaments. Therefore, every player selected must make the most of their opportunities.
Despite his domestic success and squad inclusion, Ruturaj Gaikwad may have to wait longer for his ODI comeback. Meanwhile, Jaiswal looks set to cement his position as India’s preferred opener across all formats. Nevertheless, Gaikwad’s consistent performances ensure he remains firmly in the selectors’ plans for future series.
