Twitter reacts as Ruturaj Gaikwad remains on the bench in the final ODI against South Africa

India and South Africa are currently being involved in the final ODI of the three-match series. Given that this was a dead rubber, many expected that India will give their fringe players a chance in the game. India did make four changes to the team but one man that deserved the first opportunity, Ruturaj Gaikwad, couldn't find a place. It was expected that Gaikwad might open the innings along with Shikhar Dhawan, while KL Rahul will play in the middle-order.

Meanwhile, the fans were upset by Gaikwad's omission and blasted the management on Twitter. The fans felt Gaikwad was hard done by the Dravid and KL Rahul. Some also alleged that Rahul does not want to give up his opening slot which is why he didn't include Gaikwad in the team.

Here are some of the tweets:

#INDvsSA Should have played #RuturajGaikwad today, not sure what is the thought process behind this, when #RohitSharma comes back #KLRahul will go back to middle order. So when and how will #RuturajGaikwad get his chance again. 🤔 #BigMiss 👎 to test him now when he is in form.

— Jani Siva (@janisiva) January 23, 2022

Why is Rituraj Gaikwad not being used, can any of you logically answer this. @StarSportsIndia #AskStar @cricketaakash #RuturajGaikwad

— saurabh jha (@saurabhjhalovAm) January 23, 2022

#RuturajGaikwad
highest run scorer in IPL14 & VHT21

Still is waiting for a chance #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Zt2JOfW5IX

— Logán (@lokiamuggle) January 23, 2022

Just a reminder

There lived a certain man who dropped seniors for youngsters ✍#MSDHONI @BCCI #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/oAJ2PBfp3w

— Sumit 🇮🇳 (@innocent2904) January 23, 2022

#staraikelungal @StarSportsTamil
What are they doing with
Ruturaj Gaikwad,a batsman with fine cricketing shots?Indian team's
Body language is very poor.

— N T Chari (@tvchaary) January 23, 2022

This man here deserves more not that bench 🙂😐#RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/MnJm3bFABQ

— Deekshanna🦋♥️ (@deeksh2554) January 23, 2022

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Top scorer of IPl ✅
Top scorer of VHT✅
That's what happened when you made captain even vice captain the choke player like KL rahul .
This guy is not a leader and he is incompetent as a captain.#SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/QkeHdl3RMa

— shubham (@MoooPointt) January 23, 2022

Keep smiling even at the hard times because only smile can support you to stay strong. 🙂@Ruutu1331 ❤ • #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/vgBQmGH4Dn

— TEAM RUTURAJ GAIKWAD™ (@TeamRutuRAJ) January 23, 2022

Gaikwad had an outstanding run with the bat in the Indian T20 League and followed it up with impressive performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year. The opener scored 635 runs in the ITL, claiming the orange cap. He also was the highest run-scorer in the 50-over domestic tournament, with 603 runs in five innings to his name. Gaikwad scored four centuries in the five matches that he played.

He was selected in the squad for the T20 series against New Zealand concluded in December, but did not get a chance in that series too. Gaikwad made his International debut against Sri Lanka last year. The competition for the opening spot is very high, which has resulted in him not getting many chances to play. When Rohit Sharma is available to play, the competition will get even tougher.