Last Updated: August 30, 2026 02:51 PM
India’s white-ball planning is heating up ahead of a busy schedule. Selectors are carefully mapping out roles for several key batters. Here is the latest picture on two rising stars.
Fresh Update on Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal
The BCCI has shared a new update on ODI selection recently. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal remain central figures in this ongoing discussion.
Selectors reportedly don’t want either batter pushed down the batting order. This decision comes as India prepares for a packed white-ball calendar ahead.
The schedule includes ODIs against West Indies and T20Is against Afghanistan. This new update on ODI selection highlights India’s careful long-term batting strategy.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Role Heading Toward the 2027 World Cup
Ruturaj Gaikwad remains a key backup opener for India’s future plans. He was previously picked as a backup opener during Shubman Gill’s injury. Management reportedly feels Tilak Varma is better suited to that role.
Gaikwad has proven his ODI ability, including a century against South Africa. Despite that innings, he hasn’t returned to India’s ODI squad since then.
He continues impressing in India A cricket as a reliable vice-captain figure. He recently scored a match-winning century during the Sri Lanka Tri-Series campaign.
Devdutt Padikkal’s Test Focus Delays His ODI Return
Devdutt Padikkal holds a remarkable List A record across domestic cricket. He has scored 2,796 runs with an impressive average of 82.24. Despite these numbers, selectors remain hesitant about a middle-order ODI role.
His recent Test progress has become central to this selection thinking. He batted at No. 3 during India’s recent Sri Lanka tour successfully. He scored 328 runs with 2 centuries and won Player of the Series.
Selectors want him developing further as a specialist red-ball batter first. Tilak Varma’s middle-order form also reduces urgency around shifting Padikkal’s role.
What Comes Next for Both Batters
The selection committee meets by September 3 for the Afghanistan T20I squad. Much of the existing Asian Games core squad is expected to be retained. The BCCI awaits fitness updates on Bumrah, Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Varun Chakravarthy has regained fitness and could return to contention soon. The West Indies series may see a different combination due to absences. Still, Gaikwad and Padikkal are likely staying in their natural top-order roles.
