Why Ruturaj Gaikwad Absolutely Deserves a Longer Run
Ruturaj Gaikwad has proven his mettle in the India vs South Africa ODIs, earning high praise from former India star Ravichandran Ashwin. After scoring a scintillating 105 off 83 balls in the second ODI at Raipur, Gaikwad demonstrated his class, shot selection, and exceptional running between the wickets. Ashwin emphasized that Gaikwad should be given a longer run in the ODI side, even if Shreyas Iyer returns from injury.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Stellar Performance Against South Africa
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century in Raipur came after a disappointing first ODI, where he managed only 8 runs at Ranchi. Trusted at No. 4 due to injuries to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, Gaikwad capitalized on the opportunity with 12 fours and two sixes, forming a record-breaking 195-run partnership with Virat Kohli — the highest for any wicket in India-South Africa ODIs. His ability to play both seam and spin bowling effectively was highlighted by Ashwin, who remarked that Gaikwad has “all the possibilities to bat at number four.”
Ashwin Advocates Extended Run
Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin said, “Even if Shreyas Iyer comes back, you can still accommodate Ruturaj. He has every shot in the book and can play in double gear. A player with such a pedigree must be given a long run.” Ashwin also noted that Gaikwad’s consistency and recent performances in India A and domestic cricket justify his extended tenure in the national team. He further emphasized that nurturing young talent like Ruturaj is crucial for India’s long-term success, and giving him confidence through regular opportunities will help him evolve into a match-winner at the international level.
Complementary Partnership With Virat Kohli
The Raipur innings highlighted a perfect partnership between Gaikwad and Virat Kohli. Ashwin praised their complementary batting, stating, “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.” This partnership was instrumental in setting up India’s competitive total, though South Africa ultimately chased down 359. Ashwin added that such collaborations not only boost team morale but also provide young players like Gaikwad the confidence to handle pressure situations. He emphasized that consistent performances in crucial matches are what solidify a player’s place in the national setup.
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Preview
India will face South Africa in the series-deciding third ODI at Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The Proteas chased 359 in Raipur, led by Aiden Markram’s century, putting pressure on India to strategize effectively. With Gaikwad in form and Virat Kohli’s phenomenal record at Visakhapatnam — 587 runs in seven innings at an average of 97.83 with three centuries — India will rely on their batting depth to reclaim the series.
Key Players to Watch
India Squad
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
South Africa Squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman, Rubin Hermann, Prenelan Subrayen.
Match Outlook
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form provides optimism for India in the series-decider, with Ashwin advocating his long-term inclusion at No. 4. India’s batting, led by Gaikwad and Virat, will need to counter South Africa’s momentum and the challenges posed by chasing teams. Fans can expect a high-intensity clash, where strategic batting partnerships and consistent performances will determine the outcome. Persistence, planning, and player confidence remain key as India aims to win the third ODI and the series.
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