A century. A series win. And yet—no place in the squad.
That’s the frustrating reality facing Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of India’s most consistent domestic and IPL performers, after he was shockingly left out of the ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Even more jarring? He was dropped despite scoring a match-winning 108 against South Africa just weeks ago. In his place, selectors opted for Rishabh Pant—primarily for his left-handed batting balance.
Now, veteran off-spinner and sharp cricket analyst Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken out—and his words sting with brutal honesty. “Opportunities for Ruturaj will only come,” Ashwin said, “only after Kohli and Rohit retire.”
It’s a statement that cuts to the heart of a growing crisis in Indian cricket: a generational logjam at the top, where world-class talent is being sacrificed at the altar of legacy and perceived stability. Let’s unpack what this means for Gaikwad—and for the future of Indian cricket.
Table of Contents
- Why Was Ruturaj Gaikwad Dropped Despite a Century?
- Ashwin’s Bold Take on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India Future
- The Kohli-Rohit Bottleneck
- Comparing Ruturaj’s Record to Current Openers
- What Does the Future Hold for Young Indian Batters?
- Conclusion
- Sources
Why Was Ruturaj Gaikwad Dropped Despite a Century?
On paper, Gaikwad’s omission makes little sense. In the 3rd ODI against South Africa in Cape Town, he anchored India’s chase with a composed 108 off 114 balls—his second ODI ton in just nine innings. His strike rate (94.7), boundary control, and ability to rotate strike under pressure were textbook.
Yet, when the New Zealand squad was announced, his name was missing. The BCCI’s official reasoning? “Team balance.” With Shubman Gill already opening alongside Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant returning as a middle-order left-hander, selectors felt Gaikwad’s right-handed batting didn’t add “tactical variety.”
But critics argue this logic is flawed. Pant is a wicketkeeper-batter, not a specialist opener. Gaikwad offers a technically sound, anchor-style option—something India lacks beyond Kohli. As one former selector told Times of India, “They’re using balance as an excuse to avoid tough decisions.”
Ashwin’s Bold Take on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India Future
Ravichandran Ashwin, never one to mince words, didn’t hold back in a recent podcast appearance. “Ruturaj is an exceptional talent—no doubt,” he said. “But the reality is, as long as Rohit and Virat are around, the top three spots are locked. His India future only opens after they retire.”
Ashwin went on to praise Gaikwad’s “impeccable judgment outside off stump” and “calmness under fire,” but admitted the current selection policy leaves little room for experimentation. “We keep saying we want to build for 2027 and 2031, but we’re still playing 2019 squads,” he added.
His comments have reignited a crucial debate: Is India prioritizing short-term results over long-term succession planning?
The Kohli-Rohit Bottleneck
Let’s be clear: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are legends. Together, they’ve scored over 25,000 ODI runs and led India to multiple World Cup finals. But their continued presence—especially as openers—has created a traffic jam:
- Rohit Sharma (37) remains India’s ODI captain and preferred opener despite inconsistent recent form.
- Virat Kohli (37) bats at No. 3—a position he’s held for over a decade, with no heir apparent.
- Shubman Gill (26) is the only “young” opener, but even he’s been in the side since 2019.
Meanwhile, talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad (28), Yashasvi Jaiswal (23), and Abhimanyu Easwaran (30) are stuck in limbo—earning IPL millions but fighting for scraps in international cricket.
Compare this to England, who blooded 10 new ODI players in 2023 alone, or Australia, who seamlessly transitioned from Warner/Finch to Marsh/Head. India, by contrast, is playing musical chairs with the same six batters.
Comparing Ruturaj’s Record to Current Openers
Let’s look at the numbers (as of January 2026):
| Player | ODI Avg | Strike Rate | Centuries | Recent Form (Last 10 Innings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 48.56 | 90.2 | 31 | 2, 18, 0, 45, 5* |
| Shubman Gill | 46.33 | 95.1 | 5 | 72, 1, 33, 112, 9 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 54.20 | 94.7 | 2 | 108, 34, 67, 5*, 22 |
Gaikwad’s average is the highest, his form the most consistent—and yet, he’s the one left out. This isn’t just unfair; it’s unsustainable.
What Does the Future Hold for Young Indian Batters?
The 2027 ODI World Cup is just 18 months away. If India waits until Kohli and Rohit retire post-2027, they’ll have zero time to blood replacements. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Experts suggest a phased transition:
- Drop Rohit from ODI opener role after the Champions Trophy 2025.
- Promote Ruturaj Gaikwad as a specialist No. 3 or opener.
- Use bilateral series (like vs. NZ) to test young combos.
As Ashwin hinted, the talent is there. What’s missing is the courage to let go. For more on India’s succession planning crisis, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-cricket-next-gen].
Conclusion
Ashwin’s candid assessment of **Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India future** isn’t just about one player—it’s a wake-up call for Indian cricket. You can’t keep promising a “pipeline of talent” while blocking its only exit. Gaikwad deserves more than a century and a pat on the back. He deserves a fair shot. And Indian fans deserve a team being built for tomorrow—not clinging to yesterday.
Sources
[1] “‘Only after Kohli and Rohit retire’: Ashwin makes bold Gaikwad claim,” Times of India
[2] BCCI ODI Squad Announcement: India vs New Zealand, January 2026
[3] ESPNcricinfo Player Statistics: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill
[4] ICC ODI Rankings, January 2026
[5] “India’s Selection Dilemma,” Sportskeeda, December 2025