'Captain in Asian games...'- Former KKR star questions Ruturaj Gaikwad's absence in India A squads

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has been surprised at the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad from the India A squad against Australia in the unofficial Test and ODI series at home. He laments that the Chennai Super Kings’ captain’s name has been lost in a vast emerging pool of batting talent.

Gaikwad was in great form recently with a century during the Buchi Babu Tournament before nailing a fine knock of 184 runs for the West Zone against Central Zone during the Duleep Trophy 2025 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He couldn’t play the IPL 2025 for the Chennai Super Kings due to injury.

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“The question is extremely important because he has scored runs. I agree he was injured for some time. However, he scored runs in the Duleep Trophy as well, where Rajat Patidar also scored runs. It’s praiseworthy that two back-to-back IPL-winning captains lifted domestic trophies as well.” Chopra expressed in a video on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra surprised at Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence from India A squad against Australia

Chopra highlighted the T20I century against Australia of Gaikwad and the latter’s leadership skills during India’s Asia Games campaign two years ago. After missing out on the India A games, the veteran is anticipated to return in action through the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 for Maharashtra, starting on October 15.

“Shreyas Iyer did that, and Rajat Patidar has also done it. It seems like captaincy is suiting Rajat Patidar. Coming to Ruturaj Gaikwad, he scored a century against Australia in Guwahati and is a technically compact player. He was the captain in the Asian Games. We won the Asian Games under Ruturaj’s captaincy. He is a very good player.” Chopra added in the video.

“It’s a slight travesty that your name gets lost among so many names. However, I can understand the Indian selection, but I feel it’s not right if his name doesn’t come for India-A both in multi-day and one-day. He is too good a player to actually miss out completely on every single thing. That is what I feel.” The former Indian opening batter concluded.