By Admin 
In the second ODI played against South Africa in Raipur, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century while batting at number four. This was Gaikwad’s first ODI century. This right-handed batsman played an innings of 105 runs in 83 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 12 fours. After this century, Gaikwad has been praised by former Indian spinner R Ashwin.
On his YouTube channel, R Ashwin said, “The Indian team management should give continuous opportunity to Ruturaj Gaikwad even after Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer return to the team. It is the responsibility of the management to find a way to give him a chance.”
He said that Rituraj is an opening batsman. Some people say that he should not bat at number 4. In IPL, your best batsmen should be in the top three. But there are possibilities for Rituraj at number 4 in ODIs. He plays fast bowlers well. The spinning ball is his slight weakness, and if he is batting at number 4, he will not have to face it as much. He is also an excellent batsman of spin and runs fast between the wickets. He has all types of shots. He has nothing more to prove to bat at number 4.
Ashwin said that Gaikwad is an excellent batsman. He has filled the gap of Shreyas Iyer. He deserves to play for a long time.
The former off-spinner said that Ruturaj is the first Indian batsman to score a century at number four after the 2023 World Cup.
In the three years since his debut, he has played only eight ODIs. The right-hander made a comeback to the ODI team in South Africa in 2023, two years after his last match. How will India handle Rituraj’s role when the senior players return? It will be an important story for India in its preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Gaikwad, who returned to ODI cricket after 2 years in the absence of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, has definitely made the path of Shreyas Iyer difficult with his century.