Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has raised questions over the 15-man 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 team and also criticized the decision to include Nitish Kumar Reddy.
On Saturday, 3 January, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad for the home ODI series. Ruturaj Gaikwad, batting at number 4, scored 105 runs off 83 balls 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 have been selected in the team – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Speaking in a video uploaded on his official Instagram account, Sadagoppan Ramesh said that Ruturaj Gaikwad deserved a place in the team. He said that it is not certain whether Nitish Kumar Reddy will contribute with bat or ball or make a place in the playing eleven.
Ramesh said, “He could have been selected in the team in place of someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Why is there a need for a fifth seam-bowling option? It is not clear whether Reddy will bat or bowl. When it is also not clear whether he will be in the eleven or not, someone like Gaikwad should have been in the team.”
India do not need a fifth seam-bowling option – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Ramesh said that Gaikwad should have been selected regardless of Shreyas Iyer’s fitness. He said that India does not need additional seam-bowling options for the home series. The former batsman said that if Iyer had failed the fitness test, Gaikwad would have been a reliable option.
“India do not need a fifth seam-bowling option in the original team for the home series. Even if there are injuries in the team, someone can be called soon because it is a home series. What would they have thought is that if Shreyas Iyer does not pass the fitness test, Ruturaj Gaikwad might get a place in the playing eleven. Even if Iyer is fit and plays all three matches, I think it was important for Gaikwad to be in the team,” Ramesh said. Said.
India has selected Shreyas Iyer in the team, but his place will depend on passing the fitness test. He is expected to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 6.
Selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad… – Sadagoppan Ramesh
Sadagoppan Ramesh said that the selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal despite Shubman Gill’s return to the team. Ramesh said Gaikwad also deserves similar support as he has done well for India despite batting in poor conditions.
“A friend called me up to discuss how well Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel were performing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but failed to make it to the Indian team. But Ruturaj Gaikwad missed out despite sensational performances for India. Bad luck for that guy. He should have at least been in the team, as he scored a ton in the last series. The way the selectors rewarded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gaikwad should have done the same.”
“Well, he scored a century by batting out of his place and the selectors asked him to vacate the place because the original candidate had come back. Now if he goes into bad form in domestic cricket and the selectors use that to keep him out of the team, it doesn’t seem fair.”
The ODI series against New Zealand will start on January 11 in Vadodara. After the ODI series, the teams will play a five-match T20 series. India will enter the match with confidence after winning the recent series against South Africa 2-1.
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