Former Indian chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has expressed his views on the inclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the opener for Maharashtra and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of West Indies. Vengsarkar’s remarks came in response to former cricketer Wasim Jaffer’s questioning of Gaikwad’s selection.
While some speculate that Gaikwad’s inclusion is solely based on his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Vengsarkar disagrees with this notion. According to him, players with the necessary skills can adapt to different formats of the game, and the IPL performance should not have preferential treatment in team selection.
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Vengsarkar believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad possesses significant potential, but he asserts in an interview with The Indian Express that “his true ability will only be revealed when he gets the opportunity to play, whether it’s with the white ball or the red ball.” He emphasizes that a skilled player can adjust their style to suit any format and emphasizes the need to assess Gaikwad’s performance in Test cricket. Vengsarkar also finds it difficult to understand the concept of a queue, asserting that every player should be given a chance.
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Vengsarkar’s comments shed light on his belief that Gaikwad has the necessary skills to succeed in Test cricket, regardless of his experience in the IPL. The former chief selector stresses the importance of evaluating players based on their performance in any format of the game, reinforcing the notion that skills and adaptability should be the determining factors in team selection.