The exclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad from the Indian squad for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia has sparked outrage among fans and cricketing experts. Among the most vocal critics was Indian legend Krisnamachari Srikkanth, who launched a fiery tirade against the selectors, expressing his disbelief at Gaikwad’s repeated omission.
Srikkanth’s Frustration with the Selectors
Gaikwad has been a standout performer in domestic cricket across formats, delivering consistent performances with both the red and white ball. Yet, despite his success, the young opener continues to be overlooked for significant international opportunities.
Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, did not hold back his criticism of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee:
“I don’t understand it. What more does Ruturaj have to do? The poor fellow keeps scoring centuries, both in first-class cricket and T20s, but still gets ignored. What message are we sending him?”
Srikkanth also referenced the selection of another domestic talent, Abhimanyu Easwaran, whose stellar performances earned him a spot on the Australia tour. While he acknowledged Easwaran’s credentials, Srikkanth was baffled by the absence of Gaikwad.
“Easwaran has done exceptionally well, no doubt. But what’s the plan for Gaikwad? Why isn’t he getting the same opportunities? Are we just going to keep him in India A forever?”
Gaikwad’s Domestic Success vs. Limited Opportunities
Despite missing out on the Bangladesh T20I series due to red-ball plans hinted by the selectors, Gaikwad’s exclusion from the Test squad raises questions. The opener has consistently delivered in domestic cricket, scoring two first-class centuries recently. Yet, his achievements seem insufficient to earn a place in the senior side.
Instead of a Test call-up, Gaikwad has been appointed captain of the India A squad for their upcoming tour of Australia. While this offers him a platform to prove himself, the cricketing world wonders: will leading the India A side finally earn Gaikwad a shot at the senior team?
“They say they’re grooming him for future Tests, but when does that future come?” Srikkanth asked in frustration.
The Road Ahead for Ruturaj Gaikwad
As Gaikwad prepares to lead India A in Australia, fans and experts alike will be watching closely. Will another round of impressive performances finally force the selectors to reconsider him for the senior side? Or will the talented batter continue to wait in the wings?
Stay tuned with Luckshots for the latest developments and expert opinions on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and India’s squad decisions.