In addition to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar is another player who can feel sorry for himself. With eight wickets in just three games, the Bengal bowler became the joint highest wicket-taker in the Zimbabwe series.
On Thursday, July 18, India revealed their teams for the forthcoming white-ball trip of Sri Lanka. Three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs will be played in the Island Nation by the Men in Blue.
During their recent five-match T20I tour of Zimbabwe, India selected an inexperienced team after winning the T20 World Cup last month. The Asian giants won the series 4-1, led by captain Shubman Gill. One of the standout players of the tour was Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 133 runs in three innings at a 66.50 average and 158.33 strike rate. He finished the trip as India’s third-highest run scorer, after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman. He was unexpectedly left off of the team for the fifth Twenty20 International, though.
Another significant blow to the right-hand hitter’s career came when he was left out of India’s 15-man Twenty20 International team for the tour of Sri Lanka. But in the two innings he played, Riyan Parag, who made his debut for his country in Zimbabwe, held onto his spot with scores of 2 and 22.
In his previous seven T20I innings, Ruturaj Gaikwad had averaged an astounding 71.20 with a remarkable strike rate of 158.70. That, though, proved insufficient to guarantee him a place in India’s revamped side.
On the Sri Lanka tour, he hasn’t been able to fit in with either team, though. In the second Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe, Abhishek Sharma too hit an explosive century, but he was unable to maintain his position.
The Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele will host the three Twenty20 International matches on July 27, 28, and 30, respectively. Following the conclusion of the Twenty20 International series, the two teams will travel to Colombo for the three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), which are scheduled for August 2, 4, and 7 at the storied R Premadasa Stadium.
Here are some of the tweets –
They hate him because he is too good. Sun will rise again for Ruturaj Gaikwad
pic.twitter.com/z6aoIXGNph
— Div
(@div_yumm) July 18, 2024
Ruturaj Gaikwad is Better Player than Shubman Gill in Every Format but he’s not getting a place in the Indian Team and Gill is getting VC of both the teams. Hardcore PR and Politics against Rutu. Shame on you BCCI. pic.twitter.com/jazjQaTfkU
—
(@imAnthoni_) July 18, 2024
Ruturaj Gaikwad Performed better than Subhman Gill in last series yet
Gill is appointed as VC and Ruturaj is Dropped .– A Politician has entered in Indian cricket team as head coach
pic.twitter.com/oaUN2O3zU7
— MAHIYANK™ (@Mahiyank_78) July 18, 2024
Sanju Samson scored Hundred in his last ODI. – Dropped !!
Abhishek Sharma scored T20I hundred in his 2nd match. – Dropped !!!
Ruturaj Gaikwad most runs for India in last 7 T20Is. – Dropped !!
Hardik is best for T20I captain, but they made SKY.
Gambhir Era. Unreal Biasness
— Abhinav (@Abhicricket18) July 18, 2024
Next
Sri Lanka
#TeamIndia are back in action with 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/aRqQqxjjV0
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 18, 2024
India is a country where PR is considered above performance and talent. Humanity lost to BCCI today. You gotta feel for #RuturajGaikwad
— Max Unwell (@thalaterritory) July 18, 2024
Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/nZE8UiInuP
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) July 18, 2024
Not the first time he faced injustice in the Indian team that’s been happening since U19 squad selections pic.twitter.com/Nekp3m4Qe5
— Yash (@CSKYash_) July 18, 2024
Never Puts Any Story.
Never Complains Of Anything.
No PR, Just Pure TalentStill Unlucky and Gets Robbed by BCCI.
~Being Ruturaj Gaikwad is tough, Ngl. pic.twitter.com/e4tScfj7HZ
— Hustler (@HustlerCSK) July 18, 2024
Ruturaj Dashrath Gaikwad will not knock, but break that fucking door one day and you will not be able to do anything ! My man will rise above your fucking politics !! pic.twitter.com/SA9MWYWIjv
— Pujara’s Kiki (@FlyingSlip_) July 18, 2024
Stay strong my brother, Ruturaj Gaikwad
We’re always gonna back you no matter what coz we know your worth,
— Hustler (@HustlerCSK) July 18, 2024
India
