New Delhi, Jan. 4 -- Ravichandran Ashwin, veteran Indian spinner, has opened up about Ruturaj Gaikwad's continued absence from the national ODI team, pointing to the tough competition posed by seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Gaikwad, who scored a brilliant maiden ODI century against South Africa recently, was surprisingly left out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, announced on Saturday (January 3).

The selectors opted for Rishabh Pant instead, a decision Ashwin described as a straight choice influenced by Pant's left-handed batting. The series begins January 11 in Vadodara, with Shubman Gill captaining the side.

On his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts, suggesting Gaikwad's inclusion was pos...