‘Don’t throw it away…’ Aakash Chopra pleads for patience with Ruturaj Gaikwad after ODI comeback failure

After playing just 6 innings for the Indian team in ODIs despite averaging 56.77 in List A cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad got a rare opportunity to impress the selectors. Yet, on his return to the ODI side after 712 days, Gaikwad made just 8 off 14, his fifth ODI single-digit score in seven innings, before a superb catch from Dewald Brevis ended his comeback prematurely in the 1st ODI IND vs SA. There are still two matches left in the series, but not without competition. With Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma warming the bench, Gaikwad doesn’t have the luxury of a long rope. A new failure in Raipur could put an end to his hopes. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra has urged the selectors not to rule him out just yet, even if he fails in all three ODIs.

The reason is clear. Ruturaj Gaikwad is an opener and like many other players, he plays out of position. In the Gautam Gambhir era, Gaikwad is one of a long list of batters playing out of position or 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 awaiting clarification on their roles. The latest addition is Ruturaj Gaikwad.

“I really don’t understand what’s going on. Ruturaj Gaikwad has never batted at No. 4 in ODIs. You sent him to that position, and he got away with a superb catch from Dewald Brevis. When he was dismissed, I insisted, with folded hands giving him three full chances. Even if he fails, don’t dismiss him immediately,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Accidental #4

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

Still, 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 opener in the absence of Rohit Sharma against Australia in 2023. After scoring 19 and 8 at No. 3, the move to opener immediately yielded results. He scored a fine 77-ball 71 against Australia. But he had to leave this post after the return of Rohit Sharma.

In the 1st ODI IND vs SA, Ruturaj Gaikwad got a chance only because another right-hander, Shreyas Iyer, was unavailable. If not for his right-handed skills, Tilak Varma or Rishabh Pant would have played in front of him. Aakash Chopra feels that no one has the right to give a verdict on Gaikwad’s ODI career based on his performance in Ranchi.

“Don’t judge him on these three performances. Its main job is to open the stick. Until you can give him that job, you have no right to give a verdict on his ODI career.” Chopra said.

Make Opportunities Count

Chopra is right. No one has the right to pass a verdict on Gaikwad, calling him an international failure. But opportunities in ODIs are and will be few and far between until the 2027 World Cup. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli deciding to continue, Gaikwad is not in the scheme of things in the immediate future.

Although Ruturaj Gaikwad may be mistaken for the batting position, he does not have the luxury of time. At most, he only has two rounds left before someone else takes his place. And as has been the case with other batters, he needs 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 versatile players, Gaikwad will be written off and forgotten.