Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out Of Afghanistan Series; Doubtful For ENG Test Series
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century against Australia (X.com)
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the opening batter from Maharashtra has been ruled out of selection for the Afghanistan T20Is and first part of the Test series against England. He injured his right ring field in the second ODI against South Africa recently and is yet to recover full from the setback.
Gaikwad was initially named in the squad for the two-match Test series as well but was later ruled out and Abhimanyu Easwaran replaced him in that series. As far as T20Is are concerned, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century in the T20I series against Australia after the 2023 World Cup and was even vice-captain of India for few games.
His absence for the three-match series against Afghanistan means that another slot opens up in the squad which will be already without Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. India's squad for the series is set to be announced soon and all eyes are on the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are likely to make their return in T20Is.
The T20 World Cup is just around the corner and the Afghanistan series is the last one for India before that marquee event, which makes it all the more important. Ruturaj Gaikwad will be devastated to miss this series and it might cost him a place in the T20 World Cup squad with plenty of players looking to seal that opener's slot.
 "Aashay Chopade")
