CSK opener shown exit door; Key India stars who have fallen out of ODI plans under Gambhir

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Australia  - (Source : AFP)

On Friday, October 4, the BCCI announced squads for India's upcoming white-ball tour against Australia. The apex cricket board of India made massive changes as Shubman Gill was named Rohit Sharma's successor going into the 2027 ODI World Cup. 

While the T20I squad was similar to the one that played the Asia Cup 2025, massive changes were made in the ODI set-up, hinting at what the team might look like in the 2027 ODI World Cup. 

Sanju Samson failed to find a place, while Dhruv Jurel, who is fresh off a century against Windies in the first Test, earned his maiden ODI call-up, while Yahasvi Jaiswal too is part of the set-up. 

Several fresh faces were included in the 16-member squad, but several stars were left out, and most importantly, key figures, who were once touted as the next big things in ODIs, have certainly fallen out of the scheme of things since Gambhir's tenure.

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on the players who were supposed to be the next big thing in India's ODI plans, but have fallen out of the selection scheme of things under Gambhir's regime.

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

The Chennai Super Kings impressed the critics with his IPL performance, where they showed maturity with the bat and earned an India call-up in 2021. It took him less than a year to also earn his ODI debut, courtesy of his game awareness and strokeplay, even in the shortest format of the game.

Impressed by his style of play, the selectors thought of Gaikwad as the next big thing in ODIs, but the right-handed batter has fallen behind the pecking order to the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma, who have more aggressive intent to offer to the team than Gaikwad. 

Rutu's last ODI appearance came in December 2023 against South Africa, and the right-handed batter has been waiting for an opportunity for nearly two years now. 

Gaikwad boasts an excellent record in List A cricket, but failed to replicate his performance in ODIs, resulting in his ouster from the team. 

2. Ishan Kishan

Another big name that is nowhere to be seen in ODI setup is Ishan Kishan. The southpaw, who was part of India's 2023 World Cup campaign, is not even in the discussions to make it to the next World Cup squad.

Notably, the BCCI and Ishan Kishan got into a scuffle after the board sacked him from the central contract for alleged miscommunication. However, he was not the only one and since Shreyas Iyer, the another culprit, has got his place back in the team and that too as Shubman Gill's deputy, then Kishan's ouster is ought to be asked.

Ishan, who was earlier left out of the team despite a double hundred, played his last ODI in 2023 ODI World Cup against Afghanistan. In the last two years, neither the board nor the management have looked back at the Jharkhand-based cricketer and it seems the journey in the fifty-over format is over for Kishan. 

Despite averaging 42.40, it was shocking to see Ishan Kishan getting thrown out of the team.

3. Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar is enjoying the best phase of his career as he led RCB to their maiden IPL title and also won the Duleep Trophy as a captain. Patidar, who is Madhya Pradesh' key player, was touted as the big thing in One-Day set-up and also played his only fifty-over game for India in December, 2023 against South Africa.

However, since then, Rajat has been out of the team and is trying to get the selectors look at him. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led committee is constantly ignoring the RCB captain despite his constant performance in domestic tournaments like Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is supposed to be the trial ground for domestic stars to earn India ticket.

Notably, during 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Patidar had slammed 226 runs in just six innings, averaging 56.50.

4. Avesh Khan

Among the bowlers, Avesh Khan was the one who was in scheme of things in the ODIs, which is why he was picked up during India's South Africa tour. However, like others, Avesh too couldn't survive the change of coaching staff and is out of the team since then.

Notably, Avesh has played eight ODIs and his last being in 2023. Thus, the right-arm seamer is struggling for a place, but is struggled to get Gambhir's attention.

Avesh Khan is doing a similar role to Harshit Rana and picking wickets at a regular intervals, but still he has been shown the door by the selectors.

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