Rituraj Gaikwad will enter Team India (Photo-PTI)
After the IPL, the Indian team will play the only test match against Afghanistan in which many big players may get rest. Keeping this in view, BCCI has now explored new options for the Test team. There are reports that Rituraj Gaikwad is going to get a chance in Team India. Devdutt Padikkal is also going to return to the Test team. Dhruv Jurel will also be seen playing the test match against Afghanistan. This test match will be played from 6th June. The match will be held in New Chandigarh.
What will be the role of Gaikwad-Padikkal?
Team India management has decided the roles for Padikkal, Jurel and Gaikwad in this test match to be held between India and Afghanistan. Team India management feels that these players are fit to play in the middle order. Gaikwad is considered a spin specialist batsman who looks better against spin. On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel can be played as a specialist batsman. However, Padikkal’s return can become a threat to Sai Sudarshan. It is being told that only one of these two will be in the playing eleven.
Padikkal-Gaikwad’s performance in first class cricket
Talking about Devdutt Padikkal, he has scored 3627 runs in 54 first class matches at an average of 42.67. He has scored 9 centuries and 19 half-centuries. This player himself has scored 26 centuries. Rituraj Gaikwad has also scored 3258 runs in first class matches at an average of more than 45. This player has scored 9 centuries and 17 half-centuries in first class cricket. However, Gaikwad is in very bad form at the moment. Gaikwad has so far scored only 82 runs in 6 matches at an average of 13.66. There are reports that Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Aaqib Nabi and Harsh Dubey may also get a chance in Team India.
