Cricket is a team sport, and representing the country is a dream for every aspiring player. Players work extremely hard to develop their skills, but reaching the highest level is only part of the challenge. Sustaining a place in the national team requires consistent performances, opportunities and support.
When players miss out on selection despite performing well, it can take a significant mental toll, especially when they struggle to understand the reasons behind their exclusion. One such story is that of Rajeshwari Gayakwad, a left-arm spinner from Bijapur (now Vijayapura), who has been sidelined from the Indian women’s national team despite her contributions and performances.
Speaking on the Chill Hour Podcast, hosted by Deepak Pareek, the 35-year-old spinner, who represented India for nearly a decade, opened up about her experiences and alleged behind-the-scenes issues that she believes contributed to her exclusion from the national team.
One such incident took place during a T20I series in Mumbai. Gayakwad revealed that she was not part of the playing XI and was fielding separately after the match. During this time, she injured her right hand and was immediately taken to the hospital. She sustained a minor cut that, according to her, did not require stitches. Even the doctor reportedly suggested that no stitches were necessary. However, the team manager (whose name she did not disclose) insisted that the doctor put a stitch in her hand.
Gayakwad claimed that these discussions were taking place behind her back, but she could hear what was being said.
Following the manager’s insistence, she received a stitch and was subsequently asked to declare herself unfit. She also alleged that the manager delayed giving her medication. Without informing her beforehand, her flight tickets back home were booked, and she received the details through email.
What hurt her even more was discovering that her replacement had already arrived at the team hotel the previous night, just before she was scheduled to leave the following day.
While players generally get opportunities to return to the team after recovering from injuries, Gayakwad’s experience was different. She claimed that she was not considered for selection even after undergoing knee surgery. According to her, neither the coach nor the captain responded to her calls.
She also revealed that she had to visit the hospital on her own, without a physio or anyone from the team accompanying her. Although her knee surgery was successful, she did not receive proper rehabilitation support. She claimed that multiple physiotherapists were assigned to oversee her recovery, resulting in a lack of continuity and even swelling in her knee.
Another painful aspect of her career is that she remains stranded on 99 ODI wickets, without getting an opportunity to reach the milestone of 100 wickets. As a left-arm spinner, Gayakwad alleged that those involved in the selection process were not interested in giving her another opportunity to return to the national side. She suggested that the team management wanted only one left-arm spinner among India’s leading wicket-takers.
Neetu David, who has 141 ODI wickets, is third on India’s all-time leading wicket-takers list in women’s ODIs, while Jhulan Goswami tops the list with 255 wickets.
Interestingly, Neetu David served as the chairperson of the All-India Women’s Selection Committee from September 2020 to September 2025. Gayakwad last played an ODI against England in September 2022, returning figures of 2/38.
Reaching the 100-wicket milestone in ODIs was a dream her late father had always cherished.
Gayakwad also spoke about why she believes she has not been considered for selection despite being among the leading wicket-takers in domestic cricket. She also had an impressive outing in the previous WPL season, picking up 11 wickets in eight matches for Gujarat Giants.
She further suggested that her limited activity on social media may also have contributed to her exclusion from the national team.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad made her international debut across all three formats in 2014 and has 171 international wickets to her name. She last represented India in the 2023 Women’s Asian Games final against Sri Lanka in Hangzhou.
She is currently representing the Karnataka women’s team in the BCCI Senior Women’s T20 Trophy.
