Ahead of the much-anticipated five-match Test series against England commencing on January 25, Team India has received encouraging news regarding the fitness of their key opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad, who had incurred an injury during the second ODI against South Africa, may make himself available for selection by the time the third Test match arrives.
Unfortunately, Gaikwad’s injury sidelined him from participating in the Test series against South Africa. However, the Indian squad is looking forward to potentially including Gaikwad in the third Test, scheduled to take place in Rajkot between February 15 and 19. Reports from The Times of India indicate that Gaikwad is diligently working on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy and is expected to regain full fitness within seven to ten days. Following his recovery, Gaikwad intends to showcase his match fitness by representing Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy. His return to top form could place him in contention for selection in the national team post the second Test against England.
While Gaikwad is yet to debut in Test matches, his impact in ODIs and T20s for Team India has been noteworthy, having played six ODIs and 19 T20 matches so far.
In the context of the Test series against England, the responsibility of opening the innings for India might fall upon the shoulders of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. To support the opening pair, Abhimanyu Easwaran could serve as a backup opener for the initial two matches. Easwaran previously held a similar role during the England series and has now been appointed captain of India A for the upcoming two-day practice match against England. His involvement is expected to extend to the four-day matches against the English squad as well.
This potential return of Gaikwad, coupled with the capable lineup comprising Sharma and Jaiswal, underscores India’s options and depth in the batting department. Gaikwad’s potential availability injects a positive boost into India’s preparations for the Test series against England.
The management’s consideration of Gaikwad’s comeback indicates the trust and confidence they have in his ability to contribute significantly at the top of the order. It also reflects India’s strategic approach to maintain a versatile and adaptable squad, ready to tackle different scenarios and oppositions.
This exciting update regarding Gaikwad’s fitness augurs well for Team India, providing them with added flexibility and depth in their batting lineup as they gear up for a competitive Test series against England. The collective efforts of the team, inclusive of the returning Gaikwad and the young talents, signal a promising start to the upcoming cricketing extravaganza.