'Direct Shoot-Out Between Ruturaj Gaikwad And Shubman Gill For T20 WC': Ex-India Star's Big Claim

06.12.2023 - 03:23 sports.ndtv.com

In the absence of big names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, a young Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, thrashed Australia 4-1 in a five-match T20Is series.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was India's top-scorer in the series with 223 runs in five matches at an average of 55.75. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra feels Gaikwad will face stiff competition from Shubman Gill for a place in the Indian team at the T20 World Cup next year.

Chopra explained why scoring runs in the series was important for Gaikwad. "Ruturaj Gaikwad - he said that he is there. Ruturaj is going to have stiff competition because Shubman Gill also plays like that.

Rohit Sharma will also come now. So suddenly you will feel that you aren't even able to pick two among the three. So these runs were necessary," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. "Keep scoring runs so that you are part of the squad when the World Cup comes.

cricket India Cricket Team Aakash Chopra Ruturaj Gaikwad Martin Guptill Shubman Gill Australia South Africa New Zealand India

Legendary Indian cricket team Sunil Gavaskar picked the playing XI for the first Test match against South Africa starting December 26 in Centurion and there were a couple of massive changes in the batting order. Gavaskar picked Rohit Sharma and youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal as the openers with Shubman Gill coming out to bat at No.3.and Virat Kohli at No. 4. KL Rahul was his wicket-keeper pick with Shreyas Iyer accompanying him in the middle order. Gavaskar said that both Rahul and Shreyas are good batters and it will depend on the situation to decide who bats at No. 5 and who comes out at No. 6.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out Of South Africa Tests Due To Injury. This Batter Named As Replacement

India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday. The first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa will begin on Boxing Day at the Centurion, with the second Test set to begin on 3 January in Capetown. Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha.

India vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd ODI: Big Injury For India Star, South Africa Opt To Bowl In Decider

IND vs SA Live Score: South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl against India in the third and final ODI in Paarl on Thursday. Batter Rajat Patidar is making his debut as he replaced an injured Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Playing XI.

Shubman Gill Loses Top ODI Batters Spot To This Pakistan Cricket Team Star

India opener Shubman Gill's reign at the top of of the ODI batters' list was short-lived as he was replaced by former Pakistani skipper Babar Azam in the ICC Player Rankings issued on Wednesday. The Indian attained the top spot during the ODI World Cup last month, but since then he has not played any ODI. Babar is back at the top with 824 rating points, while Gill (810) is the second spot followed by teammates Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shreyas Iyer has dropped to 12th, while KL Rahul has moved a spot to 16th. In the bowlers' chart, South African spinner Keshav Maharaj remains at the top followed by Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood.

As Bus Door Closes On Ruturaj Gaikwad, Fans Flood Social Media With Memes

Ruturaj Gaikwad was involved in a funny incident ahead of India's first ODI against South Africa that took place in Johannesburg on Sunday. While moving towards the team bus, Gaikwad was just about to enter the vehicle before its automatic gate closed right in front of him. For a moment, Gaikwad was left confused. The video of the incident went viral on social media sparking a meme fest. "KL Rahul has blocked Ruturaj Gaikwad entry in team bus after poor performance against South Africa," wrote a fan. "Bus driver after Ruturaj Gaikwad scores 5(10)," wrote another fan.

As Bus Door Closes On Ruturaj Gaikwad, Fans Flood Social Media With Memes