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India’s middle-order confusion: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad out of position when Riyan Parag exists?

Kaushik Kashyap

Riyan Parag & Virat Kohli. [Source - AFP Photos]Riyan Parag & Virat Kohli. [Source - AFP Photos]

India’s middle-order selections feel increasingly confused, highlighted by Ruturaj Gaikwad being moved to No. 4 in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi despite Riyan Parag’s recent India A success. With both Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer injured and India needing a middle-order option who can bowl as well, Parag fits the role perfectly yet remains overlooked without clear reasoning.

Ruturaj’s position switch reflects unnecessary experimentation

Ruturaj Gaikwad is a high-quality batter, capable of scoring runs anywhere, but forcing him into the middle order creates problems rather than solutions, irrespective of results. Ruturaj’s recent run-making against South Africa A came as an opener, the role that best aligns with his style and rhythm.

Yet India placed him at No. 4 in absence of Shreyas Iyer as if there are absolutely no genuine middle-order options available. His strengths have been developed at the top, and while he can adapt, shifting him when suitable middle-order specialists exist, feels unnecessary.

Riyan Parag: The most natural fit for middle-order

Riyan Parag player of the series vs AUS A. [Source - @riyanhparag/instagram]Riyan Parag player of the series vs AUS A. [Source - @riyanhparag/instagram]

The irony is that India already has a middle-order player who ticks every box the role demands. Riyan Parag dominated the Australia A series in Kanpur playing in the middle-order, showing both range and temperament. He smashed a high-tempo 67 off 42 when India were in control in the first game, then rebuilt under pressure in the second from 17/3 with a composed 58 off 54.

In the decider, he crafted a crucial 62 off 55 while chasing 317, forming the match-defining stand with captain Shreyas Iyer. Across situations, dominating, stabilizing, or absorbing pressure, Parag delivered exactly the blend of intent and maturity India seek from that middle-order position and was player of the series as well.

He bowls off-spin too, a bonus that seemingly matters given the presence of Washington Sundar in the XI in Ranchi and batting at 5. India seem to want a middle-order who can contribute overs, yet Parag remains on the sidelines despite offering that exact package, something he even showcased in his debut series in Sri Lanka last year.

Why run India A games if you ignore them?

Across the recent India A series, no middle-order player rose clearly above Parag. Yes, he struggled to get going in the South Africa A series, but so did almost everyone. Tilak Varma rotated strike slowly and fought for rhythm, scoring 79 runs in three games at a strike-rate of 55.24, yet still added in the ODI squad to play against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Tilak, despite his struggles, still fits the middle-order profile India are looking for, yet it is Ruturaj who finds himself playing there instead. If the management is not going to value role-specific India A performances, it raises the question, why run these tours at all?

Since taking charge, Gautam Gambhir and the selectors have leaned heavily on out-of-the-box thinking, but this constant chopping disturbs continuity. When Shreyas Iyer was injured, the most natural, role-ready replacement was Riyan Parag. Instead, India reshuffled everyone else first.