‘I think Ruturaj Gaikwad should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series’ -Wasim Jaffer
India’s tour of the West Indies starts on Friday in the first ODI of a three-match series at Port of Spain. The team will be led by veteran cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, with the regulars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami not part of the ODI squad.
During the England ODIs, Dhawan and Rohit were the designated first-choice openers. However, Rohit’s absence leaves a vacancy for which there seem to be many people who want to make a good impression and also stake their claim for the opening slot.
Former cricketer for the Men in Blue and domestic stalwart, Wasim Jaffer reckons that the team management should open with Gaikwad in all three matches considering his superb form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also said that if Ruturaj Gaikwad opens with Dhawan then the right-hand left-hand combination will stay and it will be helpful to combat the bowlers.
“I think Ruturaj should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series,” Jaffer tweeted on Thursday.
Jaffer also pointed out that playing Ruturaj will also keep the left-right opening combo intact.
“Ruturaj scored 4 tons in 5 inns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, deserves a look in. Also, left-right combo stays,” he added.
Gaikwad was in sublime touch while playing for Maharashtra in the VHT 2021-22 as he scored 603 runs in just five innings at a stunning average of 150.75. Gaikwad has scored 3284 runs in 64 List A games, averaging 54.74. He has 11 centuries and 16 fifties to his name as well.
Along with Gaikwad, other players will get a chance to exhibit their talents which include the likes of Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan. Among these three, Gill and Ishan have played three ODIs each while Gaikwad is yet to get a game.
While Gill has scored just 49 runs in three ODI innings, Ishan has fared a tad better with 88 runs from as many, innings including a half-century.
