'Justice For Ruturaj Gaikwad': Social Media Reacts As CSK Captain Is Not Named In India Squad For Australia Tests

Abhimanyu Easwaran was picked over Ruturaj Gaikwad as BCCI announced India squad for Australia Tests on Friday (October 25).

Maharashtra's Ruturaj Gaikwad during Day 3 of Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai at BKC.

Source : PTI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member squad for the five-match Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While India have won their last two Test Series Down Under, they are currently under pressure of defending their 18-series winning streak at home after conceding a massive first-innings lead at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Pune.

While the squad was along expected lines with the likes of Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhimanyu Easwaran finding a place in the side, there was no place in the side for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Ruturaj Gaikwad. Fans accused BCCI of "favouritism" while some wondered what went wrong for the batter.

READ HERE | BCCI Announce India Squad For South Africa Tour And Border-Gavaskar Trophy; CSK Star Misses Out On Selection

It was a maiden India call-up for Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, there was no place in the side for Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami. With specialist spinners already in the side, Kuldeep was ignored and Shami continues to recover from the injuries sustained in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

However, it was the social media reaction on Gaikwad that stood out:

Politics And Favouritism Won Once Again 💔 pic.twitter.com/fLLkOT0xrr

— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) October 25, 2024

𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗷 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗱 pic.twitter.com/SAtLr1Iy5B

— Mintu Dutta (@duttamintu26) October 25, 2024

Can't find Ruturaj Gaikwad anywhere in both squads. pic.twitter.com/e71Yv6Y8Si

— Inside out (@INSIDDE_OUT) October 25, 2024

Unreal Hate On This Man 💔 Everything He has Given In Batting Complete Politics..😔 Well Done BCCI ✌️ pic.twitter.com/Ghop1a3Wiv

— Aravind (@TVFP2) October 25, 2024

Justice for Rutu Raj gaikwad pic.twitter.com/XAaZ74SJKL

— Keshav Singh (@KeshavSinghBh11) October 25, 2024

What went wrong for Rutu?

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 25, 2024

India Squad For Australia Tests:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah (Vice captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.