Rajeshwari Gayakwad rues unfinished 100 wickets milestone, demands reasons for ouster from India team

The 35-year-old from Karnataka, who has 99 ODI wickets to her name, last played for India in 2024 during the home Test match against South Africa.  | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

India spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad expressed sadness on not being selected for the Indian women’s national team and demanded a reason for her exclusion.

The 35-year-old from Karnataka, who has 99 ODI wickets to her name, last played for India in 2024 during the home Test match against South Africa. During that red-ball match, the left-arm tweaker sustained a serious knee injury which sidelined her for six months

In white-ball formats, she last played an One-Day International in 2022, and a T20I in 2023.

“Since winning the ODI World Cup, there have been players who were injured. There were those who got injured during the tournament as well. But they have returned to the squad soon after. How?” Rajeshwari said on Deepak Pareek’s YouTube channel.

“Nowadays, if a player gets injured, they find a place in the team in just the next series. If you take my injury history, I’ve had just one major injury, the knee surgery. After that, I wasn’t given a chance.

“I was also left hanging at 99 ODI wickets. People get chances to get to the 100-mark, why not me? I have many questions, but who will answer them? I just want to know the reason for not selecting me.

“When I was not in the team, I tried to speak to the captain and the coach, but my calls weren’t answered,” she revealed.

Rajeshwari also recalled instances where she was asked to play domestic and India A matches to prove fitness. She also questioned why this same procedure isn’t extended to the current crop of players.

Currently representing Karnataka in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy Elite, Rajeshwari will also be seen in action at the upcoming Women’s Premier League after she was retained by Gujarat Giants.