Aakash Chopra believes that there could be direct competition between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill for a place in India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator further highlighted the importance of Gaikwad's performance in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia.

Considering the tough competition he faces from Gill for a spot in India’s T20I team, Gaikwad needed to score runs against Australia, and the Maharashtra batter did so in style.

Gaikwad performed exceptionally well, finishing the T20I series as the leading run-getter with 223 runs at an impressive average of 55.75 to help the Men in Blue clinch the series 4-1 against Australia.

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Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “Ruturaj Gaikwad - he said that he is there. Ruturaj is going to have stiff competition because Shubman Gill also plays like that. Rohit Sharma will also come now. So suddenly you will feel that you aren't even able to pick two among the three. So, these runs were necessary.”

The former opener mentioned that there could be a direct showdown between Gaikwad and Gill to secure a spot in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 as they both have been included in the T20I squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Chopra signed off by saying, “Keep scoring runs so that you are part of the squad when the World Cup comes. From his point of view, it's important that he remains a part of the squad. It might be a direct shoot-out between him and Shubman Gill. You might keep one of them as both do similar things in T20 cricket.”

Notably, India’s upcoming tour of South Africa will kick start with the three-match T20I series on December 10.

(With India Today Inputs)