Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the reason for selecting Rishabh Pant over Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand is that Pant is a left-handed batter.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “Rishabh Pant is a phenomenal player, it’s not about his quality… You’re looking at a straight tussle in the middle order, it’s a straight toss up between Gaikwad and Pant. The only thing that could have worked in favour of Pant is the fact that he’s left-handed. I’m thinking there would have been a huge debate. And the selectors would have decided they need a left-handed batsman.”
The squad for the New Zealand series was announced on Saturday, January 3, and Gaikwad did not find a place in the team, while Pant was named as the second wicketkeeper. The right-handed batter made a comeback to the ODI team after almost two years and scored his maiden century in the two innings he played against South Africa in the recently concluded series.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad is a top-order batter, but his ability against spin, his ability to run between wickets, his ability to close out an innings is also phenomenal. You can consider him a middle-order batsman. With Rishabh Pant in the mix – I personally don’t think Rishabh Pant can bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket at this point in time. He is a top-three batter, he has to open or bat at three,” he added.
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