Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently made a bold statement regarding wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The Indian team is set to host the Kiwis for a three-match series in January 2026.
The squad for the series was announced, with Rishabh Pant retaining his spot while Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out. Ashwin raised the question of whether Gaikwad should have been included in the squad. He believed that Gaikwad could have been a better option in the middle-order, as Pant’s strengths lie in batting in the top three positions.
In a recent episode of ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin expressed his opinion, stating, “Could Gaikwad have been kept in the squad? I think that was a real possibility. The only spot of contention is between Pant and Gaikwad. It was a straight decision. Shreyas Iyer deserved to come back after the injury, so no discussion there. It is his rightful position. The debate is over who goes out. Between a second wicketkeeper and a batter, you can get a keeper from anywhere to cover.”
Ashwin further added, “Who will keep a track on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s mindset now? At four or five, I am sticking my neck out, his batting against spin and ability to run between wickets and close out an innings is phenomenal. I personally don’t think Pant can bat in the middle-order in white-ball cricket at the moment. I think he is a top-three batter.”
The former India spinner also highlighted that Pant’s left-handedness in the middle-order might have worked in his favor. Although Pant was part of the previous ODI series against South Africa, he did not feature in any games. On the other hand, Gaikwad impressed with a century in the same series, leading to a debate over his exclusion in favor of Pant.
Ashwin went on to suggest that Ruturaj Gaikwad would only get consistent opportunities in the Indian team once senior batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire from international cricket. He emphasized the intense competition within the team for the same positions, drawing parallels to how Kohli was backed in 2010 due to his undeniable talent.
Notably, Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion in the squad is subject to fitness clearance as he is returning from injury. If Iyer is not cleared to play, Gaikwad may find himself back in the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s insights shed light on the ongoing selection dilemmas and competition within the Indian team, underscoring the challenges faced by players like Rishabh Pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad as they vie for consistent opportunities at the highest level of cricket.
