Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressed that opener Ruturaj Gaikwad should get an extended rope in the ODI side following his maiden ton against South Africa in the second ODI. Speaking on his Youtube
channel, ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin said that there are some players where the outside noise immediately gets to their neck. Some get the noise that they are very talented and should be given a long rope. But I do not know why, how and where that noise comes from. For Ruturaj, when he performed well, he never got the long run. Sometimes he has also been injured, which is unfortunate.
“But you do not have to look at him with such impatience. Ruturaj has all the possibilities to bat at number four. He can play seamers well. The only way to get him out if the ball swings initially. That will get eliminated if he bats at number four. Spin, no one can play better than him. He is also very quick on his feet and runs very well between the wickets.
He has every shot in the book. Beyond this, a player does not need to prove anything else to bat at No. 4.” Ashwin added this. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 83-ball 105, which comprised 12 fours and two sixes. He was the aggressor in the 195-run stand for the third wicket with Virat Kohli(102 off 93) in the second ODI and looked in supreme touch with the bat after failing in the opening ODI. He had a rough start to his ODI career in the first six matches but looks like he has found the form back at the right time.
In the most recent video Ashwin on his Youtube channel made a bold claim for 2027 World Cup, He said “I would ideally like Rohit and Virat to open, with Ruturaj at 3 and Shreyas at 4“ This clip went virat on X and fans had mixed opinions with some of them not in favour of replacing Shubman Gill at the top of the order.
While others argued Gill can slot in at Number 5. Shubman Gill has an average of more than 53 in ODIs and has played most of his career at the top of the order. India suffered a loss in the previous match against South Africa and will be aiming to bounce back on December 6 in the third match. With Shreyas Iyer ruled out of the series it is likely that Ruturaj will get another chance to bat at 4 and he will be keen to take his opportunity with both hands.
