Former Indian batter and cricket pundit Wasim Jaffer believe that Ruturaj Gaikwad should be given his debut cap in the first match of the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on July 22.
Notably, Ruturaj has an impressive record as an opener in List A cricket, where he has so far amassed 3284 runs at an average of 54.73 and a strike rate of 100.09 in 64 games.
He was the leading run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22 with 603 runs in five matches at an average of 150.75 and a strike rate of 112.92.
Well, Gaikwad is yet to make his ODI debut, and in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he will have a great chance to get his debut cap against the West Indies, and Jaffer backed the young opener to make his debut in the upcoming ODI series and open innings with Dhawan for India.
Wasim Jaffer wrote on Twitter: “I think Ruturaj should make his ODI debut and open with Shikhar in the WI series. Ruturaj scored 4 tons in 5 inns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, deserves a look in. Also, the left-right combo stays. #WIvIND.”
Gaikwad came into the limelight after starring in Chennai Super Kings' title-winning campaign in IPL 2021. He won the Orange Cap by amassing 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26.
He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka last year and last played against South Africa in T20Is at home.
India’s ODI squad against West Indies:
Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
