After Ruturaj Gaikwad’s disappointing comeback in the international arena, a new debate has erupted in Indian cricket. Ruturaj Gaikwad, playing his first ODI in 16 months, could score only 8 runs in 14 balls in the opening match of the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa in Ranchi.
Gaikwad’s innings ended when his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate and South African batsman Dewald Brewis took a brilliant catch in Ranchi. However, former cricketer and popular commentator Aakash Chopra blamed the Indian team management for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s flop comeback.
After Ruturaj Gaikwad’s flop comeback, Aakash Chopra raised questions on India’s strategy
Chopra questioned the decision-making behind Gaikwad’s batting position. Instead of opening, the role he has mastered and built his reputation on, Gaikwad was surprisingly pushed to number four, where he has batted only twice in his career and failed to make any impact.
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It was the same story in Ranchi also. After immense trolling and criticism, Chopra slammed critics for judging Gaikwad on the basis of his failures while batting in poor conditions.
Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, “I really don’t understand what’s happening. Ruturaj Gaikwad has never batted at No. 4 in ODIs. You sent him to that position, and he got out because of a brilliant catch by Dewald Brevis. When he got out, I folded my hands and requested him to please give him three full chances. Even if he fails, don’t take him out immediately.”
Aakash Chopra urges fair opportunities for Ruturaj Gaikwad amid criticism
He stressed that the right-handed batsman needs to perform properly at the top of the order before deciding his future in ODIs. Cricket pundits believe that unless Gaikwad is given consistent support for his natural role, there is no point in reviewing his performances.
“Don’t judge him on the basis of these three performances. His main job is to open the batting. Unless you can give him that place, you have no right to judge his ODI career,” Chopra said.
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It will be interesting to see whether Ruturaj Gaikwad will get a chance in the remaining matches of the ODI series against South Africa. Notably, the second ODI will be played on Wednesday, December 3 in Raipur, followed by the third and final ODI in Visakhapatnam on December 6.
Aakash Chopra questions India’s shocking decision to bench Rishabh Pant again
Apart from this, Chopra also questioned India’s decision to keep Rishabh Pant out of the playing eleven in the first ODI against South Africa. Despite being one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen and performing best at No. 4 and No. 5, Pant once again had to be benched in Ranchi. India instead gave a chance to Washington Sundar and he also failed to perform well.
Chopra said, “And now Rishabh Pant – when will you play him? He is a pure middle-order batsman, performs best at number 4 or 5, and yet you don’t pick him even when there is a place in the middle order. Instead, you send two players who have never batted in those positions.”
Notably, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman last played an ODI in August 2024 during the Sri Lanka tour. Although Pant was part of India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, he never got a match in that tournament as KL Rahul played as a wicketkeeper-batsman the entire time.
