Let’s be honest, cricket fans, when a star player such as Ruturaj Gaikwad does not appear on the India A squad, the rumor mill fires up quickly. Things like, “Was he snubbed?” and “Is favoritism at play? They are all too common. Well, former India opener Aakash Chopra says the answer is a clear no. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain’s omission from the coming India A vs Australia A series had nothing to do with favoritism; it had to do with performance, timing, and the selectors’ vision at the time. So, let’s get into this and see what truly happened.
Performance Speaks Louder Than Reputation
First off, let’s talk numbers. Ruturaj has been a consistent presence in domestic cricket, but in the context of India A selections, consistency isn’t always enough. While Ruturaj lit up the Duleep Trophy with 184, his spark hasn’t fully translated to other crucial matches. For instance, during the India A shadow tour amid the BGT schedule, he struggled with the bat even while captaining the side.
It’s also worth noting that Gaikwad hasn’t exactly had a packed first-class calendar over the last two Ranji seasons, featuring in only four matches. His average of 41.77 in first-class cricket is solid, but in a competitive environment where other domestic performers are literally “setting cricket on fire,” it doesn’t scream automatic selection.
Rajat Patidar’s Parallel Path
Interestingly, Gaikwad did not find himself in a quandary regarding selection. Rajat Patidar has shown flashes of brilliance in domestic cricket, but now seems to be treading the same uncertain path as Gaikwad. He did not have ample opportunities against the England team and maybe even a few other more prominent domestic tournaments, but he was not able to seize them on a continuous basis.
What’s important here is knowing that selectors generally think in a context of momentum/potential, as opposed to long-term reputation or previous IPL greatness. There is no doubting that both Gaikwad and Patidar are good players, but when you have a very competitive pool of players, the eye test and their recent rule will usually outweigh legacy and identification.
Looking Beyond the Obvious Choices
Here’s where it gets interesting: Chopra hints at a bigger picture—the Indian team wants to build depth in areas, especially fast bowling. He calls out Auqib Nabi, a Jammu & Kashmir seamer with great stuff, who has been scoring runs everywhere, as he recently had four wickets in four balls in the Duleep Trophy. The emphasis is always on the batters who happen to look flashy in the likes of Gaikwad, but the selectors are really looking for game-changers who could inject balance or address an area of need.
This perspective helps to remind us that cricket selections are never simply favours or selections of star players. Once selections are confirmed, it also considers what the team is likely to need, trying combinations and ensuring the same can be said for the bench, some pre-stardom prospects included.
FAQs
- Could Ruturaj Gaikwad’s exclusion be misunderstood as favoritism, or is there more to it?
No, Aakash Chopra confirmed it’s based on performance and the selectors’ assessment, not bias.
- How has Ruturaj Gaikwad performed in domestic cricket recently?
He scored 184 in the Duleep Trophy but has had limited first-class matches and mixed results in other tournaments.
- Does shining in the IPL guarantee attention from India A selectors?
Not directly; selectors focus on recent domestic form and readiness for specific match conditions.
