‘Don’t discard him…’ Aakash Chopra pleads for patience with Ruturaj Gaikwad after failure on ODI return

After playing just 6 innings for Team India in ODIs despite averaging 56.77 in List A cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad had a rare opportunity to impress the selectors. Yet, on his return to the ODI side after 712 days, Gaikwad only managed 8 off 14, his fifth single-digit score in ODIs in seven innings, before a stunning catch by Dewald Brevis ended his comeback prematurely in the IND vs SA 1st ODI. There are two more matches in the series, but not without competition. With Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma warming the bench, Gaikwad does not have the luxury of a long rope. Another failure in Raipur could end his hopes. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra has urged the selectors not to discard him yet, even if he fails in all three ODIs.

The reason is clear. Ruturaj Gaikwad is an opener and he, like many other players, is playing out of his position. In the Gautam Gambhir era, Gaikwad is in a long list of batters playing out of position or are without any role clarity. KL Rahul and Sanju Samson have been forced to develop skills in the middle-order, while Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are still waiting for a role clarity. The latest addition is Ruturaj Gaikwad.

“I really don’t understand what is going on. Ruturaj Gaikwad has never batted at No. 4 in ODIs. You sent him to that position, and he got out due to a stunning catch by Dewald Brevis. When he got dismissed, I urged, with folded hands that please give him three full chances. Even if he fails, don’t discard him immediately,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Accidental No 4

Many were surprised to see Gaikwad’s name in the Playing XI when the teamsheet for the IND vs SA 1st ODI was out. The fight was between Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma. Gaikwad only got a place in the India ODI squad because Shreyas Iyer was ruled out due to an injury.

Yet, Gambhir decided to go with Gaikwad in his new role at No 4. In the previous six innings, Gaikwad batted at No 3 twice before getting the opening spot in the absence of Rohit Sharma against Australia in 2023. After scoring 19 and 8 at No 3, the switch to opening immediately delivered results. He scored a fine 77-ball 71 against Australia. But he had to vacate that position after Rohit Sharma’s return.

In the IND vs SA 1st ODI, Ruturaj Gaikwad only got a chance because another right-hander, Shreyas Iyer, was unavailable. Had it not been for his right-hand skills, Tilak Varma or Rishabh Pant would have played ahead of him. Aakash Chopra believes nobody has the right to pass a verdict on Gaikwad’s ODI career based on the performance in Ranchi.

“Don’t judge him on these three performances. His main job is to open the batting. Until you can give him that position, you don’t have any right to pass a verdict on his ODI career,” Chopra said.

Make opportunities count

Chopra is right. Nobody has the right to pass a verdict on Gaikwad, terming him an international failure. But opportunities in ODIs are and will be rare till the World Cup 2027. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli deciding to continue, Gaikwad is not in the scheme of things in the immediate future.

While Ruturaj Gaikwad might be confused with the batting position, he does not have the luxury of time. He, at max, has just two innings before someone else takes his place. And as has been the case with other batters, he has to excel in the IND vs SA Raipur ODI to give the team management a reason to play him in the 3rd ODI or recall him in the future. Otherwise, with so much competition and Gambir’s preference for all-rounders, Gaikwad will be axed and forgotten.