Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has raised questions over the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11. Ramesh questioned why Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out of the squad and also criticized the decision to include Nitish Kumar Reddy.
On Saturday, January 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad for the home ODI series. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 105 runs off 83 balls while batting at No. 4 against South Africa in Raipur. Nitish Kumar has limited ODI experience, scoring 27 runs in just two matches and taking no wickets.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Could’ve Been Selected in the Squad – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Speaking in a video uploaded on his official Instagram account, Sadagoppan Ramesh stated that Ruturaj Gaikwad deserved a place in the squad. He added that it is not certain whether Nitish Kumar Reddy will contribute with the bat or the ball or even make the playing XI.
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“He could’ve been selected in the squad in place of someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Why is a fifth seam-bowling option required? Whether or not Reddy will bat or bowl is unclear. When it’s not even clear whether he will feature in the eleven, someone like Gaikwad should’ve been there in the squad,” Ramesh stated.
India Doesn’t Need a Fifth Seam-Bowling Option – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Ramesh stated that Gaikwad should have been picked regardless of Shreyas Iyer’s fitness. He said that India did not need an extra seam-bowling option for a home series. The former batter added that Gaikwad would have been a reliable option if Iyer failed a fitness test.
“India doesn’t need a fifth seam-bowling option in the original squad for a home series. Even if there is an injury in the squad, someone can be called up soon as it is a home series. What they may have thought is if Shreyas Iyer doesn’t clear the fitness test, Ruturaj Gaikwad can slot into the playing eleven. Even if Iyer is fit and plays all three matches, I feel Gaikwad was a must in the squad,” Ramesh added.
India have picked Shreyas Iyer in the squad, but his place depends on passing a fitness test. He is expected to turn out for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 6.
Selectors Rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad should… – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Sadagoppan Ramesh stated that the selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal despite Shubman Gill returning to the side. Ramesh added that Gaikwad deserved similar backing, given his strong performances for India while batting out of position.
“A friend called me discussed how well Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are performing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but failed to make it to the Indian squad. But Ruturaj Gaikwad has missed out despite sensational performances for India. Bad luck for that guy. He should have at least been in the squad, given he scored a ton in the previous series. The way selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gaikwad should have been too.”
“Okay, he scored a hundred by batting out of position and the selectors asked him to vacate the spot since the original candidate returned. Now if he goes out of form in domestic cricket and the selectors use that to keep him out of the side, it doesn’t seem justified.”
The ODI series against New Zealand will start in Vadodara on January 11. Following the ODI series, the teams will play a five-match T20I series. India will go into the contest with confidence after winning their recent series against South Africa 2-1.
Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad turns Rohit Sharma in Vijay Hazare Trophy to reclaim ODI spot after axing
