IND vs SL: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad And Abhishek Sharma Have Not Been Picked In India T20I Squad? Here's The Update

The omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma from India's upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka has sparked confusion among fans and pundits alike. Despite their impressive performances on the recent tour of Zimbabwe, where they exhibited their talent and potential, they were unable to secure places in the squad as decided by the selectors. In a press conference held on Monday, July 22, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed questions regarding the exclusion of Gaikwad and Sharma. Agarkar defended the selection process, emphasizing its fairness. He pointed to the case of Rinku Singh, who despite consistent performances for the national team, was left out of India's 15-man squad for the previous T20 World Cup. Agarkar highlighted the challenge of squad selection, noting that only 15 players can be chosen, making it difficult to accommodate every deserving candidate.

Agarkar's reassurance to Indian fans underscored the meticulous nature of the selection process, aiming to pick the best-suited players for each tour or tournament. While Gaikwad and Sharma's absence may be disappointing to their supporters, the selectors must make tough decisions based on current form, team dynamics, and other strategic considerations.

The press conference provided insight into the selectors' rationale, demonstrating their commitment to making decisions that align with the team's long-term goals. As India prepares for their upcoming challenges in Sri Lanka, the exclusion of Gaikwad and Sharma serves as a reminder of the fierce competition and high standards within Indian cricket.

"Any player who is dropped will feel hard done by. Look at Rinku, he performed really well ahead of the T20 World Cup, but couldn't make the cut. We can only pick 15," Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said in the press conference.

During the recent five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Ruturaj Gaikwad emerged as India's fourth-highest run-scorer, showcasing impressive form with the bat. Across three innings, he accumulated 133 runs at a remarkable average of 66.50 and a striking strike rate of 158.33. Gaikwad's consistency extends further, boasting an average exceeding 70 over his last seven T20I innings, including one century and two half-centuries.

On the same tour, Abhishek Sharma made a notable debut in international cricket, experiencing a roller-coaster beginning. In his first match, he was dismissed for a duck off just four balls. However, he quickly turned the tables in the subsequent game by smashing a sensational 100 runs off 47 deliveries. Additionally, Sharma contributed with the ball, claiming two wickets during the series, underlining his potential as an all-round performer.

India's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will feature three T20Is followed by an equal number of ODIs. The T20I matches are scheduled to take place in Pallekele initially, before shifting to Colombo for the ODI contests. As India prepares for these encounters, the performances of Gaikwad and Sharma on the Zimbabwe tour highlight their promising abilities, despite their omission from the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka, reflecting the competitive depth within the national team's roster.