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Ruturaj Gaikwad seeks redemption: India-A Players who have a point to prove in SA-A ODIs

Debashis Sarangi

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan will aim India comeback [Source: AFP]Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan will aim India comeback [Source: AFP]

After an enthralling drawn Test series, India-A and South Africa-A are getting ready for their face-off across three unofficial ODIs. While Rishabh Pant led the Indian contingent in Tests, Tilak Varma will captain the home side in the limited-overs format. 

The India-A squad for the South Africa-A ODIs features several renowned names. While some players will be aiming to regain their place in the national white-ball side, a few others will try their hearts out to present a strong case for their ODI inclusion as future prospects ahead of the 2027 World Cup. In such a scenario, here are four Indian players who have a point to prove in the upcoming series against South Africa-A. 

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

  • There was a time when Ruturaj Gaikwad was ahead of Shubman Gill in the pecking order among India's reserve openers. However, while Gill evolved into India's future all-format captain, injury and form concerns made Gaikwad's graph take a downward turn. 
  • The CSK captain battled fitness concerns throughout the IPL 2025 before bouncing back with truckloads of runs in the Duleep Trophy and the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. With Gaikwad being absolutely fit and fine, the selectors roped him into the ODI squad against South Africa-A, with India searching for Rohit Sharma's potential backup opener. 
  • Gaikwad has an impressive T20I record, scoring 633 runs at an average of 39.6 and a strike rate of 143.5. However, he has yet to prove himself in ODIs, managing 115 runs at a modest average of 19.2. Therefore, the unofficial ODIs against South Africa-A give him a golden opportunity to justify the selectors' faith and get back in India's scheme of things. 

2. Ishan Kishan

Criterion
Data
Innings24
Runs933
Average42.4
Strike Rate102.2

(Ishan Kishan's ODI record)

  • As evidenced by the above stats, Ishan Kishan has been a proven performer for India in ODI cricket. He was once India's first-choice reserve opener in ODIs, but the BCCI sidelined him once he lost his central contract. The swashbuckling southpaw played his last ODI for India back in October 2023. 
  • However, with KL Rahul set to turn 35 before the 2027 World Cup, India might be looking to get a young keeper as his cover for the tournament. In that case, Ishan could actually get his ODI spot back if the selectors find his performances impressive. 
  • Ishan Kishan has the South Africa-A series to start with, where he can regain the trust of the team management by letting his bat do the talking. 

3. Tilak Varma

  • Tilak Varma is a promising cricketer who recently played a crucial role in India's emphatic Asia Cup triumph. He has been a regular member of the Indian T20I setup, having amassed 996 runs in 33 innings at an average of 47.4 and a strike rate of 146.7. 
  • The southpaw also has an impressive List-A record, tallying 1645 runs in just 40 innings. With Shreyas Iyer yet to recover from a devastating injury that he sustained in Australia, Tilak Varma has a genuine chance to break into the Indian ODI squad for the South Africa and New Zealand series. 
  • So, if he translates his T20I success into the South Africa-A series, an ODI recall might just be on the cards for Tilak Varma, who is definitely one of India's long-term prospects in white-ball cricket.

4. Riyan Parag

  • Rajasthan Royals' mainstay Riyan Parag recently had a memorable series against Australia-A, scoring 187 runs with three successive fifties at an average of 62.33 and a blistering strike rate of 123.84. 
  • Parag has been prolific in List-A cricket, registering 1922 runs and 53 wickets in the format. Apart from playing quick-fire knocks, the youngster adds value as a bowler with his finger spin. 
  • Considering his incredible all-round prowess, the Indian think tank might give Parag a wildcard entry into the ODI squad if he sustains his purple patch against South Africa-A. The Gautam Gambhir-led management's preference for multidimensional players is well-known. In such a case, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Parag pips a specialist batter like Tilak in the race to replace the injured Shreyas Iyer through outstanding returns in the South Africa-A home series.