Gaikwad and Padikkal have been out of India's ODI setup for long [Source: AFP]As India’s ODI plans for the next phase begin to take shape, the competition for places in the top order has become increasingly interesting. Among them, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal are two names who have found themselves on the sidelines despite having strong claims in white-ball cricket. Both batters have opened the batting extensively in the domestic and franchise cricket, but haven’t found a regular place in India's playing XI in ODIs. Recently, a report revealed what the BCCI and the selectors think about the players and how they fit into India's batting order.BCCI representative explains Ruturaj Gaikwad's ODI snubRuturaj Gaikwad's case is particularly intriguing because his numbers in the last ODI series he played for India hardly suggested that he was out of form.During India's three-match ODI series against South Africa, Gaikwad scored 113 runs in two innings at an average of 56.50 and a strike rate of 116.49. More importantly, he scored a century, finishing with a career-best 105 in the 2nd match. However, the right-hander entered the list of unfortunate players whom India dropped right after a ton in international cricket. His 105 came while batting at No. 4 in Raipur, an example of Gaikwad successfully adapting to a position that was not his usual role. That experiment does not appear to have convinced the selectors that moving him around the order is the right solution.Also Read- Gautam Gambhir's Management Sidelines Devdutt Padikkal, Manav Suthar For Prestigious India AwardAccording to a report by the Times of India, the selectors are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. The report explained that Gaikwad had been brought into the side as a backup opener when Shubman Gill was injured, rather than being viewed as a long-term middle-order option."Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place," a BCCI source told TOI.India had Virat Kohli coming in at No. 3 during that series, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma were available to open. Tilak Varma was also part of the squad, meaning India had him as an option who could have been considered for the middle order rather than shifting Gaikwad away from his preferred position.So, the issue does not appear to be that Ruturaj Gaikwad failed when given an opportunity. Instead, the concern seems to be about whether India should create a role for him outside the opening position.Why has Devdutt Padikkal been kept away from the India ODI setup?Devdutt Padikkal's situation is slightly different, but it is connected to the same selection philosophy.Padikkal has established himself as a top-order batter while opening the batting. That has made his route into India's ODI XI dependent on an opening position becoming available rather than simply replacing a middle-order batter.“That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting,” the BCCI source added.Now, when Gaikwad was used as a backup opener, India effectively had another top-order batter competing for the same position as Padikkal. The problem for Devdutt Padikkal is that there is little reason to disrupt that structure merely to accommodate another opener.This is perhaps the unintended consequence of India's earlier handling of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Rather than clearly establishing Gaikwad’s role, BCCI tried to solve a short-term selection problem by moving him around. Now, with Padikkal waiting in the wings, after averaging 90.63 in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, the selectors appear reluctant to repeat the same approach.Can Gaikwad and Padikkal make their India comeback in 2027 World Cup?There is still plenty of time for both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal to force their way back into India's ODI plans before the 2027 World Cup.However, their paths to the squad could look very different depending on how India's senior openers are handled over the next year.For Gaikwad, a potential opening could emerge if India's current combination changes. He has already demonstrated that he can score heavily in ODI cricket, but India will also have to consider Yashasvi Jaiswal.Jaiswal remains a major part of the conversation because his ODI average of 71.25 from six matches has given the selectors little reason to move away from him. If Rohit Sharma, by any chance, gets sidelined from India's ODI plans, the equation could change significantly. The BCCI selectors will eventually make the final call. If they want a left-hander to replace Rohit upon his departure, Jaiswal could be the frontrunner, with Devdutt Padikkal being his backup. On the contrary, if the BCCI prefers experience over youthful exuberance, Ruturaj Gaikwad might pip the left-handed duo in the selection race. Also Read- Ishan Kishan's Injury Kicks Off Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Captaincy Era In Duleep Trophy 2026
