Here’s why Ruturaj Gaikwad is missing 2nd T20I vs South Africa revealed by Indian Cricket Board

Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad did not find himself in the final team for the 2^nd T20I on Tuesday in Gqeberha. The first game of the series was abandoned on Sunday in Durban due to persistent rain.*

Suryakumar Yadav saw South Africa win the toss and choose to bowl first. When the Indian team was announced three names were missing from the Indian playing XI. Jitesh Sharma continued as the wicket-keeper with Ishan Kishan benched for the game.

Tilak Varma kept his place in the team as Shreyas Iyer was rested for the game. Shubman Gill made his return to the Indian team as Ruturaj Gaikwad missed out. The move left many fans flummoxed and shocked but now the real reason has been revealed. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence explained by the Indian Cricket Board 

The Indian Cricket Board posted a statement on social media regarding the Indian opener. “Ruturaj Gaikwad was unavailable for selection for the 2^nd T20I due to illness”. The timeline for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s comeback wasn’t revealed by the Indian Cricket Board.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored over 200 runs during the 5-match T20I series against Australia. The 26-year-old became the first Indian batter to score a century in this format of the game against the Aussies. The sparkling performance with the bat helped India beat the visitors by 4-1 to keep their bilateral series dominance going.

The Indian batting charge on Tuesday was led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav who scored yet another sublime 50. Marco Jansen struck first when he had Yashasvi Jaiswal caught by David Miller for a duck. Shubman Gill followed suit when he was out LBW to Lizaad Williams for yet another duck.

The Indian skipper found an able ally in Tilak Varma and took the fight to the opposition. Just as Tilak Varma was looking dangerous, Gerald Coetzee had the youngster caught by Jansen for 29.

Suryakumar Yadav though kept going as he became the fastest batter to score 2000 runs in T20I cricket in terms of balls. The 33-year-old played his trademark shots as the home team bowlers did not have any answers to the onslaught. Rinku Singh kept going as he scored his maiden T20I fifty for India. Suryakumar Yadav was out for 56 when Jansen took his 2^nd catch to give Shamsi his first wicket of the game.