(Cricket News) The exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, as well as the inclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad, in the Test squad for India’s tour of the Caribbean, raised eyebrows. The decision regarding Gaikwad has garnered significant interest, even prompting Dilip Vengsarkar, under whose academy Gaikwad flourished, to adopt a cautious approach of observing and waiting. Vengsarkar stated, “He undoubtedly possesses great potential, but his true abilities will only be revealed on the field.” Gaikwad has undeniably showcased his talent in the IPL, yet transitioning into Test cricket can prove to be a substantial challenge for players who have struggled to replicate their success in limited-overs formats. Several notable names, such as Michael Bevan, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Jos Buttler, have encountered difficulties when facing probing spells from high-quality pacers in Test matches, despite their proficiency against them in white-ball cricket.
By selecting Gaikwad, the selectors have made a bold decision, disregarding the impressive first-class record of Sarfaraz Khan, who maintains an average of 79.64. They have also opted for Gaikwad over Easwaran, who has consistently performed well in A tours and the Ranji Trophy, including four consecutive centuries at the beginning of the year. Additionally, the inclusion of Gaikwad has resulted in the exclusion of seasoned veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, who boasts an impressive 102 Test matches under his belt.
In the process of selecting Gaikwad, the selectors have made the decision to drop experienced campaigner Cheteshwar Pujara, who has an impressive record of 102 Test matches.
The inclusion of Gaikwad poses a significant test for the selectors’ belief that success in white-ball cricket, particularly in the IPL, can translate into success in Test matches based on a player’s temperament. The outcome of this philosophy extends beyond Gaikwad’s selection alone.
When it comes to selection, it is not solely about statistics. Selectors often take a chance on talents they believe have the potential to excel, just like they did with the unconventional choice of MS Dhoni. While Gaikwad’s batting style is not unconventional, his performance in 28 first-class matches hasn’t strongly advocated for his inclusion over other contenders. His first-class average of 42.19 is decent but not exceptional. The reason for his inclusion in the Test team lies in the selectors’ observation of his IPL performances, leading them to believe that he can transfer his temperament of facing high-quality pacers to the longer format and handle sustained pressure.
In addition to using the IPL as a means of selecting players for the T20 side, selectors are also utilizing it as a platform to assess how domestic talents fare against international pacers. In the absence of A-tour programs, they have turned to IPL performances to identify prospects for the Test team. It is a gamble they are willing to take, regardless of the fact that they previously tried Suryakumar Yadav for just one Test against Australia before discarding him.
Since his IPL debut in 2020, Gaikwad has established himself as a promising player for the future, even winning the Orange Cap in 2021 while playing for the Chennai Super Kings. However, the upcoming challenge he faces is immense, as it has the potential to shape the selectors’ approach to future selections. It raises the question of whether a batsman who demonstrates a strong temperament against high-quality attacks in the IPL should take precedence over those who consistently perform well in domestic competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Cup.
When asked about the validity of Gaikwad’s call-up, former chairman of the selection committee, Dilip Vengsarkar, expressed his opinion, stating, “The format, whether red ball or white ball, doesn’t matter. It’s all the same. A good player will adapt to all formats. The aspect we need to wait and see is how he performs in Test cricket. Moreover, I don’t quite understand this notion of a queue. Every player is in contention,” Vengsarkar added.
Despite Gaikwad’s relatively modest performance in the Ranji Trophy, those who have closely observed him have consistently believed that he possesses the skills to compete at the highest level on a consistent basis. Prior to the start of the last IPL season, Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach Mike Hussey highlighted the similarities he sees between Gaikwad’s approach to the game and his own, emphasizing the focus on simplicity and sticking to the basics without overcomplicating matters.
Hussey praised Ruturaj’s progress, stating that he has developed a strong understanding of his own game. According to Hussey, Ruturaj possesses the necessary skills, mental strength, and self-awareness to succeed at the next level. Hussey expressed his confidence in Ruturaj’s abilities and believed that if given the opportunity, he would demonstrate his true potential to the world. Hussey admired Ruturaj’s game and the confidence he exudes while playing.
Furthermore, it is important to understand why, despite having players like Hanuma Vihari, Sarfaraz, and Easwaran, who are capable of occupying the crease for extended periods and scoring big runs, there is a need to select a player known for his aggressive shot-making. In the limited-overs format, while other teams have adapted and evolved their approach, India has remained stagnant for a long time, failing to keep pace with the changing dynamics of the game.
In contrast, the Test team has been an exception to this trend. The core group of players, including Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, and Rohit Sharma, has remained intact for a considerable period. They have consistently reached the finals of successive World Test Championships and, despite falling short of the title, India has established themselves as a powerhouse in the longer format, unlike in ODIs and T20s.
Whether by design or circumstance, the advent of result-oriented pitches and the influence of Bazball have brought about a significant transformation in Test cricket. India, previously reliant on their strong bowling unit and prioritizing a resilient batting line-up that could withstand challenging conditions, is now recognizing the need for a more proactive approach in their batting lineup, adding another dimension to their game.
Despite not achieving remarkable results in red-ball cricket, Gaikwad has caught the attention of many for quite some time, with even Ravi Shastri expressing a desire to have him on the tour of England in 2022. However, like many of his contemporaries, Gaikwad has predominantly grown up in an era focused on white-ball cricket, where batsmen tend to prioritize attacking shots. While he has been selected for the Test team, doubts still linger regarding his ability to handle the moving ball and adapt to different situations by playing defensively when necessary. Currently, there is no definitive answer to this question, and only time will reveal Gaikwad’s true capabilities in these aspects.
Hussey expressed complete confidence in Ruturaj’s ability to excel at the international level, stating that there is no doubt in his mind regarding Ruturaj’s talent and suitability for the highest level of the game. Hussey emphasized his desire to see Ruturaj given a fair opportunity to establish himself and acknowledged that it may take some time for him to adjust and find his rhythm in international cricket. Nonetheless, Hussey firmly believed that Ruturaj has all the necessary qualities to achieve success at that level.
Also Read: Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the Test squad raises eyebrows
