IND vs NZ: Three Indian players who might be benched in T20I series

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad 

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a run machine in the Indian domestic circuit. The 25-year-old has featured in 72 List-A matches and aggregated 4034 runs at an average of 61.12. Also, he has been brilliant in the cash-rich league, notching up 1207 runs in 36 games at a strike rate of 130.35.

Gaikwad was at his prolific best in the 2022 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and accumulated 660 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 113.59. Courtesy of his stellar showings, the Pune-born made a comeback into India’s T20I set-up and was included in the three-match T20I series against Dasun Shanka & co. However, Kishan and Shubman Gill were the team’s first-choice openers and the Maharashtra batter could not get even a single game.

Gaikwad has been picked for the forthcoming T20I assignment against New Zealand. With Gill and Kishan still in the mix, they are likely to be given a nod ahead of him. Moreover, India also have Prithvi Shaw, who provides explosiveness at the top of the order. So, Shaw might also be higher in the pecking order and Ruturaj might need to warm the bench in the entire series.