Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian spinner, has shared his opinion about how Ruturaj Gaikwad should be given more chances in the ODI squad even if Shreyas Iyer is back from injury.
Ashwin was speaking after Gaikwad scored his first ODI century against South Africa at Raipur. The opener had just one fifty in seven innings before this knock, but he took full advantage of the injury to Shubman Gill and Iyer. With a strong domestic performance in 2nd ODI against South Africa and a good India A series, Gaikwad displayed maturity, wise shot choice, and great understanding with Virat Kohli while at the wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs Ruturaj Gaikwad
Speaking on his Youtube channel, ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin said, “There are some players where the outside noise immediately gets to their neck. Some get the noise that they are very talented and should be given a long rope. But I do not know why, how and where that noise comes from. For Ruturaj, when he performed well, he never got the long run. Sometimes he has also been injured, which is unfortunate.”
“But you do not have to look at him with such impatience. Ruturaj has all the possibilities to bat at number four. He can play seamers well. The only way to get him out if the ball swings initially. That will get eliminated if he bats at number four. Spin, no one can play better than him. He is also very quick on his feet and runs very well between the wickets. He has every shot in the book. Beyond this, a player does not need to prove anything else to bat at No. 4.”
Ashwin wants Ruturaj for a long run despite Iyer’s return
“Even if Shreyas Iyer comes back, you can still accommodate Ruturaj. Would you want to push Ruturaj up the order, or even Virat can do that, batting up the order. He has done it in T20s. A player with such a pedigree like Ruturaj must be given a long run,” he concluded.
“Both batted brilliantly, what complementary batting. But it was totally trumped by South Africa. Though their knocks went in vain, their combination got set superbly. Maharaj has been a linchpin for South Africa, but once Ruturaj took him down, he had no answers. Virat Kohli’s solidity and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s play against spin should be spoken about. Without Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj has shown he can play in double gear,” said Ashwin.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Performance In 2nd ODI Match
During the 3-match series on Wednesday in Raipur, in the 2nd ODI match, South Africa won by a margin of 4 wickets, therefore making the series 1-1. Batting first, Ruturaj Gaikwad made his first international century and gave a brilliant performance with King Kohli of 195-runs partnership and was dismissed after making 105 off 83 balls in the achievement of a target of 359 towards South Africa.