India's series against Afghanistan serves as an early platform for the team to test out their bench strength and incorporate newer names into the set-up
as they gear up for the ODI World Cup in 2027, the trophy which they heartbreakingly lost to Australia at home in 2023. With multiple senior names missing through injury or workload management, the series offers new players a platform to shine and stake a claim to don the blue jersey.
One such player is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The batter from Maharashtra has been in and around the Indian set-up in multiple formats but has yet to stake a major claim for a regular spot in the side. A surprise recall to the ODI side came when South Africa came visiting in late 2025, where he scored a stellar 105 in the second ODI in Raipur, his maiden century in the format. This call-up came on the back of brilliant performances for India A and was his first rodeo in ODIs with the national side since 2023. With the talismanic Virat Kohli missing the series with a hamstring injury, opening a spot at one drop, questions over Gaikwad's inclusion have been prominent, due to his ability to anchor the innings and his record in the format.
The 37-year-old Kohli is not getting any younger. While he might still be at his mesmerising best with the bat, his place in the side could come into question, with age not being on his side. Despite this, Kohli and fellow veteran Rohit Sharma have both iterated their desire to represent the team in Africa in late 2027. If India decides to move on from their mercurial veterans, Gaikwad would immediately be considered a serious contender for a role at one-drop.
The 29-year-old has a stellar List-A record. In 102 matches, the right-handed batter has scored 5264 runs at a stellar average of 59.14 and a strike rate of 101.48. He has scored 20 half-centuries and 21 centuries, a testament to his conversion rate and being able to score big runs.
He excels at rotating the strike and carrying momentum through the middle overs and has time and again proved to be an excellent strokemaker and a brilliant player of spin. Currently playing for India A in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, he started the series with a brilliant century against Sri Lanka A and a well-made 66 against Afghanistan A. His 101 against the Lankans was a brilliant knock where he looked calm and composed in conditions favouring spinners.
While his recent form and abilities suggest that he may be a perfect like-for-like option at one-drop for the veteran Kohli, the further nitty-gritties of his game do not boost much confidence. While Ruturaj excels at anchoring innings, he has often been found wanting when it comes to his power game.
In the recently concluded IPL 2026, the CSK skipper was criticised for his low strike rate of 123 across the season, failing to make use of the powerplay while opening the batting, and being accused of playing without intent. He has also often been found wanting against quality pace bowling, often nicking off against outswingers and having trouble against hit-the-deck bowling. With the next ODI World Cup being in Africa, relying on Gaikwad as a batting option could seem a dangerous proposition.
Gautam Gambhir's side went with southpaw Ishan Kishan in their team at one drop in the first ODI, highlighting the favourability for a batter who has multiple gears. Kishan has recently found himself in favour within the Indian set-up after stellar performances in domestic cricket and a game-changing run at number three in India's victorious 2026 T20 World Cup run. These performances have prompted a look in with India's ODI side, with whom Kishan already has scored a stellar double century.
The fact that he also keeps wickets gives added flexibility to the side. Waiting in the wings is another southpaw in Devdutt Padikkal, who averages over 80 after 42 List A games. He also displayed an improved power game in the 2026 IPL, where he was one of the key batters for the champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The team's insistence on a player who has a power game, combined with glaring problem areas in his game, leaves question marks over Gaikwad's selection. While he seems to be the like-for-like replacement for Kohli due to the roles they play as batting anchors, Gaikwad's inclusion would just prove to be a stopgap solution until the veteran returns.
Taking Kohli's age factor into consideration, it would be wiser for the management to use this opportunity to try to groom a true successor. With their next ODI assignment being in England in July, giving Kohli ample time to recover, it would be rather unwise to fill that gap for just one series.
