Published By: Sanchari Das

The Case for Ruturaj Gaikwad: Why His Stats Demand a National Comeback

With his strong IPL stats, consistent first-class performances, and international experience, Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from the national T20I squad seems unjustified

Ruturaj Gaikwad's exclusion from the Indian T20I squad has left many puzzled. Despite his remarkable form in the T20 format, he has been overlooked again. Twice in the last 15 months, Gaikwad earned a call-up for the Indian Test squad, first for the West Indies tour in June 2023 and then for the South Africa tour. However, injuries and other circumstances kept him from playing. Even though he recovered from his injuries, his absence from the Bangladesh series has raised eyebrows, questioning the selectors' decisions.

A frustrating run of missed opportunities

Gaikwad's bad luck with call-ups doesn't end there. He was also named as a standby opener for the World Test Championship final but withdrew to get married, with Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him. Despite his solid first-class cricket record of 2,273 runs at an average of 42.88, including six centuries, Gaikwad hasn't had a chance to prove himself in the Test arena. His recent efforts, such as captaining Team C in the Duleep Trophy and scoring back-to-back fifties and accumulating 232 runs, further highlight his potential.

Irani Trophy: A chance for redemption?

Although Gaikwad was left out of the T20I squad for Bangladesh, his selection as the captain of the Rest of India team for the Irani Trophy offers hope. Leading this team allows Gaikwad to focus on refining his longer-format cricket, which is crucial for his potential future in Test matches. With whispers suggesting he could be the third opener for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, this Irani Trophy stint is an opportunity for him to solidify his place. It's a platform where he can once again demonstrate his prowess in the game's longer format.

Gaikwad's IPL milestones speak volumes

Gaikwad's IPL achievements are hard to ignore. In 2024, he became the fastest Indian to complete 2,000 runs in the league, achieving the feat in just 57 innings. He displaced KL Rahul, who reached the milestone in 60 innings and sits behind only Chris Gayle and Shaun Marsh overall. Gaikwad's performance in the 2024 season was equally stellar, with 583 runs, one century, and four fifties. His average of 53.00 in the season speaks volumes, and he finished as the second-highest run-scorer, behind only Virat Kohli.

A captain leading by example

Gaikwad's century against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 added to his individual accolades and marked a historic moment for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He became the first CSK captain to score a century in IPL history and only the eighth in the entire league. His 56-ball hundred overtook MS Dhoni's 84-run record for the highest score by a CSK captain. Gaikwad's leadership qualities and ability to score under pressure continue to underline his credentials as a versatile and dependable player.

Consistency and excellence at the top

Gaikwad's IPL record speaks for itself. Since his debut in 2020, he has played 66 matches, scoring 2,380 runs with a career average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 136.86. He clinched the Orange Cap in 2021 after scoring 635 runs, marking his breakthrough season. Two years later, in 2023, he maintained his form by compiling 590 runs. His tally includes 18 half-centuries and two centuries. In CSK's history, only two other players, Murali Vijay and Shane Watson, have achieved multiple centuries. Gaikwad's ability to maintain consistency at the top season after season highlights why his continued omission from the national T20 squad is perplexing.

T20I and ICC Rankings: A case for inclusion

Gaikwad's last T20I appearance came in July 2024, when he scored 133 runs in four matches with a strike rate of 158.3. His ability to clear boundaries with 26 of them, including five sixes, makes him a dangerous prospect in any T20 lineup. Currently ranked third among Indian batters and ninth in the ICC T20I rankings, Gaikwad's form and consistency speak for themselves.

While the bus for T20I has left Gaikwad stranded, there may be a chance for him to appear in the Test series against Australia. As per a recent Times of India report, a source said, “There has been a lot of hue and cry after Gaikwad wasn't picked for the T20Is against Bangladesh despite regular T20I openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill being rested. The selectors and team management want him as the third opener in Australia. You need a third opener there as injuries could take place during a long five-Test series.”

Will Gaikwad get back into the Indian roster? Only time will tell.