NEW DELHI: The BCCI has recently announced the 18-member squad for the upcoming five-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as well as the squad for the four-match T20I series against South Africa.
However, the exclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad from both squads has sparked outrage on social media.
Former Indian cricketer Krisnamachari Srikkanth also expressed his disappointment with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s decision to overlook Gaikwad despite his impressive form.
“I don’t understand it at all. When they say that Mayank Yadav bowled for a few overs and now he has also become unfit like Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag. See, for Ruturaj, I don’t understand at all. Poor fellow! What will he do? If he scores a century, then they can take him back into the T20I squad, right? He scored two first-class centuries, but still didn’t get a chance. He got scores to back him up. Where should that guy be going now?”, Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Gaikwad, who was recently named captain of the India A team for their upcoming tour of Australia, was expected to be included as a backup opener for the Border-Gavaskar series.
He has been in excellent form, consistently performing well in the Duleep, Irani, and Ranji Trophy matches over the past two months.
However, the selectors opted for in-form Bengal batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has scored four centuries in his last four first-class matches.
“Abhimanyu Easwaran’s performance has been brilliant. I’m not questioning that. But what are you doing with Ruturaj? Why aren’t they twirling around with him? What’s the plan? Let them do what they want with him,” Srikanth said.
“Just look at the mindset of that kid and tell me what he should be doing in this match against you guys. He keeps on hitting the opponents all day long, but then, when it comes to international cricket, you leave him behind. And when they give him a chance, it’s for the Rest of India or India A,” he said.
The five-match Test series between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22 in Perth, with India looking to defend the trophy.
The squad includes two new faces in Delhi pacer Harshit Rana and Andhra seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who have received their first call-up to the national team.