India vs West Indies: Ruturaj Gaikwad has returned from Covid-19 isolation but he is unlikely to be considered for the 3rd ODI in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Ruturaj Gaikwad recovers from Covid-19 ahead of 3rd ODI (AFP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ruturaj Gaikwad had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month
- He did not play the first 2 ODIs against the West Indies
- The CSK star is unlikely to be considered for selection for the 3rd ODI
India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has recovered from Covid-19 and is out of isolation ahead of the 3rd ODI against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, scheduled for Friday, February 11. The Chennai Super Kings star tested positive for Covid-19 just 4 days ahead of the ODI series along with Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Navdeep Saini and 4 other members of the Indian support staff after their arrival in Ahmedabad.
While Dhawan and Iyer recovered and joined the team ahead of the 2nd ODI, Ruturaj continued to be in isolation. It is unlikely that Ruturaj will get an opportunity to open the batting in the 3rd ODI, which is a dead rubber as India have already sealed an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.
Captain Rohit Sharma made it clear after India won the 2nd ODI on Wednesday that his senior partner Shikhar Dhawan will return to the playing XI and open the innings. Notably, India opened with Ishan Kishan in the first ODI and tried Rishabh Pant at the top in the 2nd ODI.
Ruturaj warmed the bench in the home T20 series against New Zealand and also did not get an opportunity to play against South Africa in the away ODI series.
Ruturaj hasn’t been included in the T20 squad and, in all likelihood, will now turn out for his home state in the upcoming Ranji Trophy, according to the PTI.
India also roped in Mayank Agarwal after the positive Covid-19 results emerged on February 2. Tamil Nadu batter Shah Rukh Khan was also added to the squad but both of them have warmed the benches.
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