Wasim Jaffer, a former India Test player, believes Ruturaj Gaikwad deserves a chance to lead the team against Sri Lanka in the third T20I on Saturday in Rajkot (January 7). Gaikwad has amassed a sizable number of runs in domestic cricket, in Jaffer’s opinion, and is deserving of an opportunity given Shubman Gill’s struggles in the first two games. In both games, Gill has opened alongside Ishan Kishan after making his Twenty20 international debut against Sri Lanka in the opening encounter in Mumbai. The right-hander, on the other hand, has had trouble, managing only two single-digit scores. In the two T20Is that have been played thus far in the series, the hosts have also had opening partnerships of 12 and 27.
Gaikwad was the second-highest run-getter in the most recent Vijay Hazare Trophy competition, as Jaffer mentioned on ESPN Cricinfo’s Timeout. Despite Arshdeep Singh’s dismal performance in the second game in Pune, the 44-year-old also doesn’t anticipate any changes in the bowling department.
Jaffer said, “I’m slightly inclined to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s inclusion, as I think he deserves an opportunity because he scored plenty of runs in domestic cricket and showed his brilliance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shubman Gill hasn’t quite clicked in the last two games and has been disappointing.”
He added, ” So, I’m slightly towards Gaikwad. He deserves a chance, having spent plenty of time on the bench. I don’t see changes in the bowling unit, and I still back Arshdeep Singh despite a forgettable outing. You have to back him in these situations, so his confidence doesn’t get shaken. The batting unit might see a change, but don’t see any other.”
The lower-order batters have stepped up in the last two games when the Men in Blue’s batting has fallen short. Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav led India from 94-5 to 162 in the first game, then they teamed up for a 91-run partnership at 57-5 in the second T20I.
Jaffer stated that if Ruturaj plays on Saturday, all eyes will be on him and Ishan. Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, according to the 31-Test veteran, might be crucial for Sri Lanka if they want to win.
It will be the tourists’ first bilateral series victory in India if they win the third game.
