"Picking him now is just stupidity" - Fans erupt as Ruturaj Gaikwad is drafted into India playing XI for IND vs WI 3rd ODI

Ruturaj Gaikwad replaced Umran Malik in the India playing XI for the third ODI against West Indies (WI) to make his comeback in this format after a gap of almost 10 months. The match will be held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Tuesday, August 1.

For the uninitiated, Gaikwad played his lone ODI against South Africa in Lucknow in October last year. The right-handed batter scored just 19 runs on his 50-over debut. The 26-year-old will now look to make the most of the opportunity against WI.

Speaking at the toss, stand-in captain Hardik Pandya said:

“Ruturaj comes in place of Umran.”

Gaikwad was last seen in action in the Indian Premier League. The Chennai Super Kings opener amassed 590 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 147.50, including four half-centuries as his team won the trophy.

Fans on Twitter came up with mixed reactions to Gaikwad’s inclusion in the playing XI. One tweeted:

"It's almost certain Ruturaj isnt in the ODI scheme of things till WC.. picking him now is just stupidity... smh."

Ğowtham

@gowthamRule

@APTalksCricket What ? its almost certain Ruturaj isnt in the ODI scheme of things till WC.. picking him now is just stupidity... smh.

1

@APTalksCricket What ? its almost certain Ruturaj isnt in the ODI scheme of things till WC.. picking him now is just stupidity... smh.

Here are some of the other best Twitter reactions:

Crictweets

@crictweetsss

Why Ruturaj is getting a game if he isn't the scheme of things for #WC ? Complete chaos. This Rohit-Dravid combo is completely destroying Indian cricket. #WIvIND

Why Ruturaj is getting a game if he isn't the scheme of things for #WC ? Complete chaos. This Rohit-Dravid combo is completely destroying Indian cricket. #WIvIND

Ajinkya Dhamdhere

@ajinkyasd

Ruturaj Gaikwad playing just his second ODI out of 18 ODIs he has been a part of the ODI team.

#WIvIND #INDvWI

1

Ruturaj Gaikwad playing just his second ODI out of 18 ODIs he has been a part of the ODI team.

#WIvIND #INDvWI

AA

@Ayushxa

Ruturaj playing makes absolutely zero sense here. Insane team management

Ruturaj playing makes absolutely zero sense here. Insane team management

A

@_shortarmjab_

Ruturaj is selected for Asian games, by no means he is gonna be a part of the wc squad. What exactly is the need to play him here when he isn't there in the scheme of things. Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma

15

5

Ruturaj is selected for Asian games, by no means he is gonna be a part of the wc squad. What exactly is the need to play him here when he isn't there in the scheme of things. Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma 🙏🙏🙏

Snehith reddie

@snehithreddy45

Ruturaj and Unadkat are not supposed to play Asia Cup or World Cup. What is the point of replacing them with seniors and that too right before the Asia Cup?
#IndvsWI

Ruturaj and Unadkat are not supposed to play Asia Cup or World Cup. What is the point of replacing them with seniors and that too right before the Asia Cup?
#IndvsWI

Rahul

@Rv__97

Dravid sir being even worse playing musical chairs than he did during DD days. Just one game and Axar out.. Ruturaj Unadkat playing for reason hmm

Dravid sir being even worse playing musical chairs than he did during DD days. Just one game and Axar out.. Ruturaj Unadkat playing for reason hmm

Rajiv

@Rajiv1841

Ruturaj Gaikwad is scoring a huge ton tonight and he will make a case for himself at no.4 with that century!!

@Ruutu1331 please make the best use of this 1 and only opportunity!!

Best of luck

🤞🤞

ViratKohli%F0%93%83%B5" target="_blank" title="ViratKohli𓃵" rel="noopener noreferrer">#ViratKohli𓃵 #Gaikwad #IndvWI pic.twitter.com/FQQrA6WrSr

9

3

Ruturaj Gaikwad is scoring a huge ton tonight and he will make a case for himself at no.4 with that century!!

@Ruutu1331 please make the best use of this 1 and only opportunity!!

Best of luck❤️❤️

🤞🤞

#ViratKohli𓃵 #Gaikwad #IndvWI pic.twitter.com/FQQrA6WrSr

Varun Giri

@Varungiri0

Ruturaj Gaikwad has an average of 61 with 15 Hundreds in LIST-A.
This is his best format. He deserves to play ODI and he should be getting more chances in ODI after this world cup.

3

Ruturaj Gaikwad has an average of 61 with 15 Hundreds in LIST-A.
This is his best format. He deserves to play ODI and he should be getting more chances in ODI after this world cup.

Some Random Guy

@indian_inosuke

@hyyhyara Gaikwad who will definitely not play also as he is captaining in the Asian games.
Ganja/charas.

1

@hyyhyara Gaikwad who will definitely not play also as he is captaining in the Asian games.
Ganja/charas.

movieman

@movieman777

@LoyalSachinFan Playing Gaikwad who is the captain of Asian games and won't be even in the scheme of WC.

@LoyalSachinFan Playing Gaikwad who is the captain of Asian games and won't be even in the scheme of WC.

Lakshya Chopra

@LakshyaNotLaksh

Is this a joke?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will play at the Asian Games and is not in WC's scheme of things gets to play?
Why did @BCCI include Rohit and Virat in the ODI squad then?
Also, Ruturaj isn't in the T20 squad for WI tour but is the VC for Ireland tour. Logic? twitter.com/BCCI/status/16…

1

Is this a joke?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will play at the Asian Games and is not in WC's scheme of things gets to play?
Why did @BCCI include Rohit and Virat in the ODI squad then?
Also, Ruturaj isn't in the T20 squad for WI tour but is the VC for Ireland tour. Logic? twitter.com/BCCI/status/16…

West Indies opt to bowl; Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaydev Unadkat included in India playing XI

West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and opted to field first in the ODI decider against India on Tuesday. The hosts fielded an unchanged side after their five-wicket win in the second ODI.

Meanwhile, the Hardik Pandya-led side picked Jaydev Unadkat in place of Axar Patel as their second change in the playing XI other than Ruturaj Gaikwad. The left-handed pacer played his last ODI against the same team in November 2013 in Kochi.

The Men in Blue once again rested regular captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Pandya said at the toss:

“Going to the decider the boys are pumped up and looking forward to the game. Looks good (the surface), I don't think much will change, batting first gives a good opportunity for us to set a good total.”

West Indies XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.

India XI: Ishan Kishan (w), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar.

BCCI

@BCCI

A look at #TeamIndia's Playing XI for the third and final ODI.

Two changes - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaydev Unadkat come in the XI for Umran Malik and Axar Patel.

#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/WZHOXVARFb

3063

233

A look at #TeamIndia's Playing XI for the third and final ODI.

Two changes - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaydev Unadkat come in the XI for Umran Malik and Axar Patel.

#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/WZHOXVARFb

Click here to follow IND vs WI 3rd ODI live score updates.

​