India announced a 15-player ODI squad for the India vs New Zealand series starting January 11, but Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out. This happened even though he scored a century in his last ODI. After the squad was named on January 3, many fans reacted angrily on social media.
Gaikwad got his chance earlier because Shreyas Iyer was injured. In the South Africa series, he scored 105 in the second ODI at Raipur and made good use of the opportunity. Now that Iyer is almost fit again, Gaikwad has been dropped from the squad.
Fans questioned the decision and blamed the selectors, especially Ajit Agarkar. Many felt it was unfair to drop a player who scored a hundred in his last match. Some fans compared his situation to Sanju Samson and said Gaikwad keeps losing his place even after good performances.
Several social media users posted angry and sarcastic comments. Some said Gaikwad should leave CSK, while others said it makes no sense to keep players with lower ODI averages and drop someone in form. Many pointed out that Gaikwad has now been dropped from both the T20I and ODI teams despite scoring centuries in his last series in both formats.
Gaikwad has scored 257 runs in five matches for Maharashtra in the current Vijay Hazare Trophy. His strike rate is over 120, and his runs include a hundred and fifty. Even with these numbers, he did not get picked.
Mohammed Shami was not picked in India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand home series, and this led to strong reactions from fans online. Many supporters were surprised because Shami has been playing domestic cricket regularly and taking wickets for Bengal.
Fans used social media to question the selectors’ decision. Some said it made no sense to ignore an experienced fast bowler when India picked other pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. One fan said leaving out Shami was like owning something valuable and not using it. Others said Shami’s career was being wasted despite his effort in domestic matches.
Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he took nine wickets in five matches and was one of India’s top wicket-takers. Despite this, and despite good form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was ignored again. In the current Vijay Hazare season, he has taken 11 wickets in five matches, including a three-wicket spell against Assam just before the squad was announced.
Mohammed Siraj was brought back into the ODI team, while Jasprit Bumrah was rested. Hardik Pandya was not selected because he is not cleared to bowl full overs. Shreyas Iyer returned to the squad as vice-captain, but his place depends on fitness clearance.
Former players question Gaikwad’s ODI snub despite Ranchi century in India vs New Zealand series
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 106 in Ranchi, but he was still left out of India’s ODI squad for the India vs New Zealand series. This decision surprised many former players, including Irfan Pathan and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Irfan Pathan said the decision was hard to understand. He pointed out that Gaikwad scored a hundred and still missed out, which shows how tough competition is in Indian cricket. He also mentioned Devdutt Padikkal, who has a very high List A average but is not close to ODI selection either. Pathan said the only option for Gaikwad is to keep scoring runs.
R Ashwin, who plays with Gaikwad at the Chennai Super Kings, shared a positive message. He said missing out can be difficult, but players must keep turning up and not give up because competition for places in the Indian team is very high.
FAQs
Q. Why is Hardik Pandya not part of the ODI squad?
A. Hardik Pandya has been rested due to workload management and is not cleared to bowl ten overs.
Q. Why was Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped from the ODI squad?
A. Ruturaj Gaikwad missed out because Gill and Iyer returned to the squad, even though he scored a century against South Africa.
Q. Why is Mohammed Shami not included?
A. Despite good domestic form, Mohammed Shami remains out, as selectors preferred Siraj and other pacers.
Q. Why did Axar Patel miss selection?
A. Ravindra Jadeja was preferred, with Washington Sundar chosen as the second spin all-rounder.
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