In a surprising decision ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out of the 15-member squad named by the BCCI on January 3.
Gaikwad dropped from ODI squad
The Chennai Super Kings opener had been in strong form, both domestically and internationally. Gaikwad had within the week scored a century against memorably scoring a century in India’s recent ODI against South Africa, yet the selectors opted for other combinations for the New Zealand series, sparking debate among fans and analysts alike.
Gaikwad’s omission looks even harder to justify when his recent form across formats is taken into account. He had scored a commanding 105 against South Africa in a high-scoring chase at home, showcasing his ability to anchor an ODI innings under pressure.
Ruturaj Gaikwad stats in Domestic Cricket
Beyond international cricket, Gaikwad has also been in fine touch domestically. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he struck a century and a fifty in his last two matches, underlining his consistency in the 50-over format.
Most notably, his recent 66 against Mumbai saw him overtake Virat Kohli to become the Indian batter with the highest average in List A cricket, making his exclusion from the New Zealand ODI squad even more surprising.
The decision becomes even more controversial given that Iyer’s inclusion is contingent on his fitness and return from a recent injury rehab, and his participation is not yet guaranteed.
Many feel Gaikwad’s consistent domestic and international numbers, and his recent big scores, warranted continued selection for a home bilateral series. The omission has ignited discussion about selection policy, balance, and the role of form versus experience in team construction.
At a time when India is looking to build depth and continuity, especially ahead of major ICC events, Gaikwad’s exclusion remains a talking point — particularly when the series is on familiar Indian pitches. Cricket fans are awaiting the first ODI starting January 11, eager to see how the batting order shapes up without one of the game’s hottest young openers.
India squad for the upcoming home ODI series against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (subject to fitness clearance), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma in the batting group.
The all-round department includes Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, while the bowling attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna, giving the team a mix of experience, depth, and variety for home conditions.
