Former Indian opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has strongly criticized the BCCI's decision to exclude Ruturaj Gaikwad from the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. Ramesh believes Gaikwad, who recently scored a century batting at No. 4 in the ODI series against South Africa, deserved a place in the team. He specifically suggested that the 26-year-old Maharashtra batter should have replaced all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 15-man squad. Ramesh questioned the need for a fifth seam-bowling all-rounder when the team already has several pace options.

Ramesh pointed out that Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role in the limited-overs setup remains unclear at this stage. He argued that including a specialist batter like Gaikwad would have strengthened the middle order significantly. Gaikwad’s recent form, including his maiden ODI century and consistent performances in domestic cricket, made his omission particularly surprising. The former India player felt the selectors could have prioritized experience and proven run-scoring ability over an extra bowling option. Ramesh’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the squad selection.

The three-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot and Indore. Shubman Gill leads the team with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain, subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The squad also includes senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. With Jasprit Bumrah rested and Hardik Pandya unavailable due to workload management, the team relies heavily on its pace attack. Gaikwad’s absence has left fans and experts wondering about the selectors’ long-term vision for the middle order.

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Sadagoppan Ramesh’s remarks highlight the growing scrutiny on the BCCI’s selection policies. Gaikwad’s impressive record in white-ball cricket, including his leadership at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, makes his exclusion even more puzzling to many. Ramesh’s suggestion to drop Nitish Kumar Reddy reflects a preference for a more settled batting unit. As the series approaches, all eyes will be on how the chosen players perform. The debate over Gaikwad’s omission is likely to continue until the team proves its balance on the field.

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