Indian fans could hardly contain their excitement when they saw Ruturaj Gaikwad in ODI cricket again after a 16-month absence. His name on the teamsheet felt like a small festival, finally, the elegant strokemaker was back. But the joy did not last long, he scratched around for 14 balls and managed just 8 runs before falling to a brilliant Dewald Brevis catch. For someone returning to the big stage, it was a rough welcome. Still, it set the stage for a much bigger conversation.
Contents
How the Ranchi Innings Unfolded
Gaikwad’s return was supposed to be a gentle re-entry, but South Africa had other plans. Coming in earlier than many expected—thanks to India’s curious tinkering—he never quite found rhythm. A couple of nudges, one crisp drive, and then the moment that ended it all: Brevis leapt sideways, plucked the ball cleanly, and abruptly cut short the comeback that so many were rooting for. On paper, 8 off 14 reads poorly; in reality, it was a batter thrown into a lane he rarely drives in. And yet, that hasn’t stopped the chatter swirling around Ruturaj Gaikwad in ODI circles since Sunday.
India loses 3rd wicket, R Gaikwad goes out on 8(14). 🏏
Excellent catch by Dewald Brevis 🔥 💯#INDvsSA #TeamIndia #MenInBlue pic.twitter.com/FhNw1imcCN
— MEHRA (@DevMehra790) November 30, 2025
The Number Four Experiment — And Why It Raised Eyebrows
If there’s one thing Gaikwad has earned over the years, it’s clarity in identity. His rise in domestic cricket has been almost completely shaped by opening the innings. His List A numbers, averaging more than 55, are built on early overs, new ball movement, and setting a platform. Across formats, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting position has been overwhelmingly at the top; in ODIs he has virtually never walked in at No. 4. So India’s decision to slot him there felt less like a strategic move and more like an improvisation made five minutes before the toss.
Ruturaj Gaikwad last played in an ODI two years ago 🔙
He made scores of 117, 68* and 25 during India A’s 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa A pic.twitter.com/lIGPxGr6cn
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 30, 2025
Even in his 87 List A innings, Gaikwad had batted at No. 4 exactly once and that too under unusual circumstances. His entire A-level career, CSK tenure, and India A journey paint the same picture: an opener with timing, tempo, and technique. Yet in Ranchi, he was asked to shoulder a task he has no muscle memory for. And unsurprisingly, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting position became the biggest talking point of the match. For many, blaming him felt like blaming a goalkeeper asked to play centre-forward for not scoring.
India’s Habit of Constant Chopping and Changing
This isn’t just about Gaikwad, though. India’s recent selection patterns resemble a carousel more than a cricketing blueprint. Across formats, roles shift every match, players are dropped after one failure, and clarity is increasingly a luxury rather than a norm. Consider this ODI tour alone: Pant benched again, Tilak Varma shuffled without a fixed brief, Washington Sundar used in positions no one quite associates him with. No wonder fans keep asking what exactly the plan is behind the India team selection for South Africa series.
Take the Test side earlier this year, two No. 3 batters across two Tests, one player dropped immediately after a strong outing, another promoted up the order on a pitch that resembled a minefield. These decisions stack up, and soon enough, players begin batting for survival rather than impact. When everyone is unsure of their role, naturally, nobody feels secure enough to build one. The problem with the India team selection for South Africa series goes beyond one match or one tour. It’s the message it sends: that continuity is negotiable, roles are interchangeable, and that even senior players can suddenly be repurposed. In that climate, expecting Gaikwad to instantly thrive at No. 4 almost feels unfair.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
And this also explains why it’s dangerous to jump to conclusions about Ruturaj Gaikwad in ODI cricket based on a couple of innings. His ODI sample size is tiny, scattered, and largely out of position. Until he receives an actual run in his natural role, opening the batting, any verdict is more guesswork than judgement.
Why Patience Matters More Than Ever?
India is in a transitional era: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stepped back, younger names are being tested, and a new identity is waiting to take shape. In such a moment, stability isn’t merely helpful—it is essential. When a player like Gaikwad doesn’t know whether he’s an opener, a floater, or a temporary No. 4 solution, the system begins to wobble.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
Fans may view the India team selection for South Africa series as a short-term experiment, but the broader trend shows something deeper: a lack of long-term clarity. Without stable roles, even talented players end up performing below potential. And that is why Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting position is more than a tactical footnote—it’s a symbol of where India’s white-ball thinking is faltering.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
So before anyone writes off Gaikwad’s ODI future, perspective is needed. Two or three games out of position are not a career. They are a circumstance. A batter who thrives at the top should be judged at the top, not from a makeshift assignment plugged by necessity or confusion. For now, Gaikwad waits—not just for runs, but for direction. And in many ways, Indian cricket waits too.
