Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand which is scheduled to start on January 27. Earlier this week, the Maharashtra skipper checked into the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru complaining of wrist pain.
Gaikwad reported his wrist injury to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Ranji Trophy 2022-23 clash against Hyderabad where he registered scores of 8 and 0.
Gaikwad has played nine T20Is so far and scored 135 runs from eight innings at an average of 16.87 including one half-century. His last T20I appearance was against Ireland where he did not bat after a niggle in the calf.
In Gaikwad's absence, Prithvi Shaw who made his T20I return may get a chance. However, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan are likely to be first choice openers for the first T20I.
BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for Gaikwad on the eve of first T20I at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
India’s T20I squad against New Zealand: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, Mukesh Kumar.
