'There is a crowd there, no place for openers' - Aakash Chopra feels Ruturaj Gaikwad has fallen behind in T20 WC race

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s recent failure at the international level and pointed out the availability of opening options in the Indian squad. The cricketer-turned-commentator said there is a traffic jam at the top and Gaikwad now has gone way back in the race for the T20 World Cup 2022.

Gaikwad failed to grab the opportunity after a disappointing show in the recently concluded South Africa series at home. The youngster featured in all five matches but scored only 96 runs as an opener. He did score a 57-run knock in the third match, India’s first win in the series, but failed to make an overall impact.

Both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul missed the South Africa series for different reasons, which offered Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan a chance at the top. Kishan impressed everyone with a good comeback after his average performance in the Indian Premier League 2022 season as he finished the series as the highest run-scorer, with 206 runs at a strike rate of 150.36.

“I have kept Ruturaj Gaikwad’s name above everyone else because there is a huge traffic jam at the top, you can call it Chandni Chowk or Crawford Market jam. There is a crowd there, there is no place for openers. If we see from this viewpoint, Ruturaj Gaikwad has gone way back. He played five matches, a lot of people played four only, because the last match was rained off, but Ruturaj had gotten out in that match, so it is five innings for him,” Chopra said in his latest YouTube video.

How many people will open?: Aakash Chopra

The commentator also pointed out the number of opening options available for India in the T20I format. With the 2022 T20 World Cup closing in, the team needs to figure out their preferred starting eleven soon. Both Rohit and Rahul are likely to be the first choice options, but India needs at least two backup options available given the pair’s recent injury and fitness issues.

Chopra also pointed out that the former captain Virat Kohli, who opens for RCB in IPL, and the in-form Kishan will be ahead of Gaikwad as an opening option in the upcoming World Cup.

“A few believe that even Kohli can be made to open. Kohli opens for his franchise, so he can also open here. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan can open, how many people will open? Everyone wants to open. In one match, we had even gotten Rishabh Pant to open,” he added.