IND vs WI: Ruturaj Gaikwad recovers from COVID-19, out of isolation

As per the latest developments, Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had tested positive for COVID-19, has returned with a negative test. He’s also out of isolation now. The youngster, alongside the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, contracted the virus ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies. The trio subsequently missed the first two games.

Though Gaikwad might be available for selection in the third and last ODI, he’s most likely to warm benches as skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that Dhawan would be slotted back in the playing XI. As Gaikwad isn’t a part of the subsequent T20I series, he’ll have to wait for some more time to showcase his potential at the highest level.

Ruturaj Gaikwad patiently waiting for his chances

Notably, Gaikwad, who made his T20I debut last year against Sri Lanka, warmed the benches in the home T20I series against New Zealand in November 2021. He didn’t either get a chance in the three-match ODI series against South Africa last month.

Days before the start of the West Indies series, the COVID-19 had hit the Indian camp and three players returned with positive Tests. Besides Dhawan, Iyer and Gaikwad, reserve bowler Navdeep Saini and four other members of the support staff also contracted the virus and subsequently went under isolation.

As Gaikwad isn’t likely to be a part of the home T20I series against Sri Lanka later this month, he will now turn out for Maharashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy, which gets underway on February 17. Speaking of the ongoing series, India won the first two games and sealed the three-match affair 2-0.

While the opening game was a one-sided affair, the visitors put up an impressive show in the second game but eventually suffered a 44-run defeat. Hence, the final game will be a dead rubber and India might consider testing their bench strength. Their batting line-up is to watch out for as the last game saw Rishabh Pant opening alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

With Dhawan coming back in the picture, Pant might have to warm the benches as the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul did well in the previous game. In this case, Rahul would take the wicketkeeping gloves.