IND vs WI: Wasim Jaffer Feels Ruturaj Gaikwad Should Make His ODI Debut And Open With Shikhar Dhawan In 1st ODI Against West Indies

In the three-match ODI series against West Indies, young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad should make his ODI debut and open with skipper Shikhar Dhawan, according to former India opener Wasim Jaffer.

Jaffer emphasised Ruturaj’s strong List A record as an opener. In 64 List A games, Ruturaj has distinguished himself by scoring 3284 runs at an average of 54.73 and a strike rate of 100.09. 

Wasim Jaffer Backs Ruturaj Gaikwad To Open Alongside Shikhar Dhawan

“I think Ruturaj should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series. Ruturaj scored 4 tons in 5 inns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, deserves a look in. Also, the left-right combo stays. #WIvIND,” Jaffer said in a tweet. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad gained notoriety for playing a key role in the IPL 2021 championship run of Chennai Super Kings. He scored 635 runs in 16 games with an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26 to win the Orange Cap.

Last year against Sri Lanka, the youthful hitter went on to make his T20I debut for India. Following a series with little opportunities, he was given the chance to show off his abilities in the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. 

Gaikwad has yet to play for India in an ODI, but given the absence of Rohit and KL Rahul in the West Indies, he may get the chance. Gaikwad amassed 603 runs in five matches with an average of 150.75 and a strike rate of 112.92, making him the competition’s top run-scorer for 2021–22. 

Shikhar Dhawan To Lead Indian Team In Absence Of Rohit Sharma

India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies, which begins on Friday, will be captained by Shikhar Dhawan (July 22). He was appointed captain because Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with usual captain Rohit Sharma, were rested for the 50-over series. 

India squad for 3 ODIs against West Indies: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh. 

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Weighs In On Reduction Of Bilateral T20Is: Franchise Cricket Can Be Encouraged