Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer wants Ruturaj Gaikwad to make his ODI debut on Friday against the West Indies in the first game of a three-game series in Port of Spain in Trinidad. With Captain Rohit Sharma rested and KL Rahul still recovering from his injury, there is no clarity as to who will join Dhawan at the top of the rankings. Highlighting the youngster’s excellent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored four centuries in five games, Jaffer believes Ruturaj deserves a chance to prove his quality. The 44-year-old also pointed out that playing Ruturaj will keep the left-right opening combo intact.
“I think Ruturaj should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series. Ruturaj scored 4 tons in 5 hostels in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, deserves a look. Also the left-right combo remains,” Jaffer tweeted on the eve of the first ODI.
I think Ruturaj should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series. Ruturaj scored 4 tons in 5 inns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, deserves a look inside. Also left-right combo remains. #WIvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 21, 2022
During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gaikwad scored 603 runs in just five innings for a stunning 150.75 average.
However, Gaikwad is currently behind Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill in the pecking order.
While Gill has only scored 49 runs in three ODI innings, Ishan has fared slightly better with 88 runs from as many innings, including a fifty.
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In addition to Rohit and Rahul, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have also been given a rest for the ODIs.
India will face the West Indies in a three-game T20I series, followed by a three-game ODI series.
Here is the full India roster for West Indies ODIs:
Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (World Cup), Sanju Samson (World Cup), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice Captain), Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
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