Rajat Patidar vs Ruturaj Gaikwad (Source: AFP)India are set to return to ODI cricket after a break as they prepare to host the West Indies in a three-match series. The series is scheduled to begin on September 27, with the next two matches to be played on September 30 and October 3.The 'Men in Blue' will look to use the series as part of their preparations for the much-awaited ODI World Cup 2027. However, the team could be without some important players because of the Asian Games 2026.One of the biggest selection questions could be around the no. 4 batting position. With Shreyas Iyer expected to be involved in the Asian Games, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar have emerged as two possible options for the middle-order spot.India's no. 4 Spot Opens Up Ahead Of West Indies ODIsRuturaj Gaikwad is reportedly a strong contender for a spot in the India's playing XI vs West Indies. The right-handed batter has considerable experience in List A cricket and has also represented India in the ODI format.Gaikwad can open the innings naturally, but India could use him at no. 4 against the West Indies. Ruturaj Gaikwad's previous numbers at the position also give the team an interesting option. He has scored 113 runs in two ODI innings at No. 4, at an average of 56.50 with a strike rate of 116.49.Looking at his current form, he last played ODI cricket in the Tri Series in SL 2026. In the series, he scored 274 runs in 5 innings at a strike rate of 86.16 and an average of 54.80.Meanwhile, RCB captain Rajat Patidar is also in contention to make a place in India's playing XI vs WI.The stylish batter has played only one ODI for India so far, making his debut against South Africa on December 21, 2023, when he scored 22 runs off 16 balls. However, Patidar has built a strong reputation through domestic List A cricket and the IPL.Recently, playing for Gwalior Cheetahs in the MP T20 2026, he scored 306 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 198.70 and an average of 38.25. Before that, in IPL 2026, he made 501 runs in 14 innings at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 192.69.Recent reports also suggest Rajat Patidar could be considered Ruturaj Gaikwad’s backup for the series.Also Read: India Stars For Whom India-A vs Australia-A ODIs Will Be Make-Or-BreakRajat Patidar vs Ruturaj Gaikwad: Stats Comparison Of List A CricketComparing the List A numbers of the two batters, Gaikwad has played more innings and has produced significantly more runs, while Rajat Patidar has also maintained an impressive scoring rate in 50-over cricket.Looking at the stats, Gaikwad has scored 5,334 runs in 100 innings at an average of 58.61, while Patidar has made 2,278 runs in 65 innings at an average of 37.34.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRuturaj GaikwadSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRajat PatidarSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableInningsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table100SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table65SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table5334SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2278SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table58.61SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table37.34SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike RateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table101.23SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table99.17SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table50sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table20SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table21SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table100sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table13SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table4SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHighestSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table220*SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table158SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar List A record)ConclusionThe selection of Rajat Patidar or Ruturaj Gaikwad will ultimately depend on the team combination and the role India wants from their no. 4 batter. Gaikwad’s List A record and ODI experience put him firmly in the conversation, while on the other side, Rajat Patidar's recent form and ability to score quickly also keep him in contention for a return to the Indian setup.Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Dethrones Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan In Latest ICC T20I Rankings
