Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given opportunity at the right time, can do wonders for India: Chetan Sharma

All India Senior Selection Committee chief selector Chetan Sharma has opined that Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given opportunity at the right time and he can do wonders for the national team.

Gaikwad has been in terrific form in the recent past and he has got his opportunity to prove his mettle.

The right-hander finished as the leading run-getter of IPL 2021 as he bagged the Orange Cap. He amassed 635 runs in 16 matches and played an instrumental role in leading Chennai Super Kings to their fourth IPL title.

The flamboyant right-hander from Maharashtra continued his dream form in Vijay Hazare Trophy as he played at the top of his game. Gaikwad scored 603 runs in six matches at an average of 150.75 and a strike rate of 112.92 and finished as the leading run-getter of the tournament after scoring four centuries.

Gaikwad was then picked in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

“Look, absolutely (he has) got the opportunity at the right time. He was in the T20 team and also now he is in the ODI team, wherever his place can be made, selectors are thinking he will go and do wonders for the country,” Sharma said at the team selection press conference.

“We have selected him (Ruturaj). Now it is up to the (team) management to see when he can play in the XI, when he is required and how to go about the combination, these things we will coordinate.

Gaikwad will look to continue his good show and grab his opportunity at the top level. The right-hander has thus far played two T20Is for the national team and has scored 35 runs.

The first ODI between South Africa and India will be played at Paarl on January 19.

India’s squad: KL Rahul (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaekwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Y Chahal, R Ashwin, W Sundar, J Bumrah (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj.