Former India spinner R. Ashwin has urged the Indian team management to give Ruturaj Gaikwad a sustained run in one-day internationals, even after mainstays Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill return from their injury layoffs. Ashwin heaped praise on Gaikwad after the Chennai Super Kings captain struck his maiden ODI hundred in Raipur against South Africa on Wednesday, 3 December.
IND v SA, 2nd ODI: Highlights | Scorecard
Speaking on his YouTube show, Ashwin said it was the team management’s responsibility to find a way to accommodate a talent like Gaikwad, whom he believes is one of the finest players of spin in the middle overs of 50-over cricket.
Long discussed for his potential but often limited in opportunities, Ruturaj showcased his batting prowess with a controlled yet assertive innings that reignited debate about his ideal position in the batting order.
Arriving at the crease after South Africa opted to field, Gaikwad anchored India’s innings from the middle order. He reached his fifty from 52 balls before accelerating to a century in just 77 deliveries. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium crowd witnessed a partnership between Gaikwad and Virat Kohli that highlighted both timing and temperament.
Kohli, fresh from a match-winning century in the previous ODI, joined Gaikwad for a 195-run stand. While Kohli celebrated his 53rd ODI hundred, it was Gaikwad’s ability to take on South Africa’s spinners—particularly Keshav Maharaj—that truly stood out. Kohli’s approach was measured, while Gaikwad attacked, especially during a decisive 28th over.
Gaikwad’s selection came due to injuries to regular captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. Recognising Gaikwad’s recent form for India A—where he had struck a century and a fifty against South Africa A—the team management opted to use him in the middle order rather than his usual opening slot. The move was designed to capitalise on his current rhythm.
“Yes, Ruturaj is an opening batter. Some people argue he shouldn’t bat at No. 4. In the IPL, your best batters must be in the top three. But there are possibilities for Ruturaj at No. 4 in ODIs,” Ashwin said.
“He handles seamers well. He has a slight weakness against the moving ball, and he won’t need to face that much if he’s batting at No. 4. He is a terrific player of spin and runs hard between the wickets. He has all the shots in the book. There is nothing more he needs to prove to bat at No. 4.
“Tomorrow, even if Shreyas Iyer returns, you can still accommodate Ruturaj Gaikwad. I don’t know exactly how, but I’ve thought of many innovative ideas. Do you push Ruturaj up the order? I’m not sure.
“For a player of such pedigree, he deserves a long run.”
Despite the 195-run partnership, India ended on the losing side as a total of 358 proved insufficient on a dewy evening in Raipur. Neither Gaikwad nor Kohli pushed on to convert their centuries into a bigger score.
‘MADE UP FOR IYER’S ABSENCE’
Ashwin offered a detailed assessment of the Gaikwad–Kohli partnership and Gaikwad’s approach to spin:
“Their knock went in vain, but the combination worked beautifully. Generally, Virat doesn’t take risks against left-arm spin—he drives down the ground or cuts to the off side for singles. When facing an off-spinner, he occasionally takes risks, as we saw when he attacked Prenelan Subrayen in the first ODI.
“But Ruturaj was showing the stumps to play inside-out shots and taking on the sweeps. He even took Keshav Maharaj over mid-on. Maharaj has been quite the bowler for South Africa, a real lynchpin. Once Ruturaj took him on, Maharaj didn’t have answers.
“He has made up for Shreyas Iyer’s absence in double gear,” Ashwin added.
Ruturaj became the first Indian No. 4 since the 2023 World Cup to score an ODI hundred. After missing out in the series opener in Ranchi, he made full use of his opportunity in Raipur.
He has played only eight ODIs in three years since his debut. The right-hander returned to the one-day side two years after his last appearance, also in South Africa in 2023.
How India handle Ruturaj’s role when the senior players return will be a key storyline in the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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