Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of New Zealand T20Is with wrist injury

Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand at home owing to a wrist issue. Gaikwad, who was one of the opening prospects in the upcoming series, felt discomfort in his wrist and has been sent to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation.

The 25-year-old was last seen in action for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy. He returned with scores of 8 and 0 in his most recent game – against Hyderabad – before being pegged back by the wrist issue. This is not the first time Gaikwad has had a problem in his wrist. He was previously ruled out due to the same reason against Sri Lanka in last year’s T20I series, with Mayank Agarwal named as his replacement.

Gaikwad, who made his T20I debut in July 2021, has scored 135 runs in nine 20-over internationals for India at a strike rate of 123.85, including a half-century. In his absence, the chances of Prithvi Shaw taking guard against the new ball increase, with India unlikely to name a replacement. 

India will be led by Hardik Pandya in a side sans plenty of regulars – most notably Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami – in the T20I series, which starts on January 27 in Ranchi. The subsequent encounters will be played in Lucknow (January 29) and Ahmedabad (February 1).

Call on Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion on February 1

Meanwhile, in a boosting update, the BCCI is expected to take a call on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s fitness on February 1 after receiving a report from the NCA. Jadeja returned to athletic activity and made an instant impact, bagging a seven-for while representing Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy.

Jadeja has been on the road to recovery after leaving the Indian camp at the Asia Cup last September due to a long-standing knee injury. He subsequently underwent surgery on his right knee before landing at the NCA for rehabilitation. The talismanic all-rounder has been named in the 17-member host party for the first two Tests of the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy, on which relies India’s chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Jadeja, included in the aforementioned squad subject to fitness, will report to the NCA upon the conclusion of the Ranji fixture against Tamil Nadu after which the final call will be taken. The four-Test series against Australia starts in Nagpur from February 9, with the following encounters in Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad.