Ruturaj Gaikwad Eager to Make His Mark in India's ODI Comeback
Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad has expressed his excitement about returning to the national team as India prepares to face South Africa in a three-match ODI series. The 28-year-old described wearing the blue jersey again as a "good feeling" and is looking forward to contributing to the team's efforts on the international stage.
Team Changes and Captaincy
Gaikwad's inclusion comes as a replacement for two key players missing from the squad. Shubman Gill is sidelined with a neck injury, while Shreyas Iyer is recovering from a spleen injury. The series will be led by wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, marking another leadership opportunity for the experienced player.
The opening match of the series begins on Sunday at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, with subsequent matches scheduled in Raipur and Visakhapatnam.
Gaikwad's Road Back to International Cricket
During the team's photoshoot session on Saturday, Gaikwad shared his enthusiasm, stating, "It's good to be back in blue and really looking forward to again playing for Team India." His last ODI appearance was on December 19, 2023, against South Africa in Gqeberha, while his most recent international match was a T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 13, 2024.
The Maharashtra batsman earned his recall through impressive performances in the recent 50-over series against South Africa A in Rajkot, catching the selectors' attention with his consistent form.
Team Management's Confidence and Batting Options
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel welcomed Gaikwad's return, describing him as "a quality player for a number of years" and expressing confidence that the batter would make the country proud if given the opportunity.
With Shreyas Iyer unavailable, Gaikwad could be considered for the crucial number four spot in the batting order, though he faces competition from left-handers Tilak Varma and Rishabh Pant. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma, filling the position vacated by Shubman Gill's injury.
While Varma and Pant remain the frontrunners for the middle-order position, Gaikwad's current form provides the team management with a valuable alternative as they finalize their batting lineup for the important series against the Proteas.
