Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked Ruturaj Gaikwad among India’s future Test batters. However, Chopra is not sure where Gaikwad will bat if he is picked for the Indian team.
Gaikwad has scored 2533 runs in 37 first-class matches at an average of 41.52 but he is yet to make his Test debut.
Meanwhile, India suffered a 1-3 series loss against Australia with the batting line-up not delivering for the visitors. Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could not come up with consistent performances and thus the selectors might have to look for other batters.
Chopra noted that Gaikwad is a technically compact batter but questioned his batting position as he doesn’t open for Maharashtra.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad is an interesting player because he is extremely technically compact. However, I have been unable to figure out which number batter he is because he doesn’t open when he plays for Maharashtra in red-ball cricket, but was sent at the top of the order for India A, and came down the order as soon as (KL) Rahul came,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator said Gaikwad’s game is well suited for the red-ball format.
“So I am unable to understand how he is being used. He is not getting that many opportunities as well. He was the T20 captain and scored runs as well, but was dropped after that. However, when you watch Ruturaj Gaikwad playing, you see glimpses of the longer format being in his veins,” he observed.
On the other hand, Devdutt Padikkal returned with scores of 0 and 25 in the opening Test against Australia. However, Chopra added that it would be too soon to rule out Padikkal.
“After that, I am thinking Devdutt Padikkal. I would say don’t write his obituary so soon because it will be slightly sad. He is a good cricketer. He scored 60-odd runs on his Test debut. Of course, he got out in the Perth match, but when you see him play, you feel he is technically strong,” he said.
Chopra said Padikkal is a proper batter and backed him to find success in the red-ball version.
“He is not a flash-in-the-pan player. He is not one who will only hit sixes. He plays well in days’ cricket. Some people grow up on a diet of long-form cricket. He is not a two-minute Maggi noddle. He is a proper batter,” Chopra observed.
India will next take on England in three ODIs and five T20Is.
