Ruturaj Gaikwad has returned to churning out big runs. After a quiet run at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Maharashtra captain has returned to his favourite format as a duck does to water. Going against Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25, Gaikwad scored a destructive and awe-inspiring 148.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, a List A great
Chasing just 205, Gaikwad gave an epic thrashing to every bowler. He reached his hundred in merely 57 deliveries and needed just 17 runs to hit another 48 runs. His unbeaten 148-run knock from 74 balls saw Maharashtra chase down the target in just 20.2 overs.
For the unaware, Gaikwad is one of the most prolific batters in List A history. As of now, he averages 59.43 in the format. Before the match, he stood at 57.37. No one averages more than him in the history of cricket. Yet, he fails to make it to the India cricket team‘s ODI side.
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Tough competition
The reasons are Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. One of them is the Indian captain and one of the greatest ODI players of all time. The other averages 58.20 in ODIs and is the fastest to 2000 runs in the format. But wait, there is someone else as well. Yashasvi Jaiswal is yet to make his Team India debut in the format. Jaiswal too averages 54 and hasn’t been handed his cap due to a lack of games and tough competition inside the team.
Gaikwad ready for ICC Champions Trophy
But, given the form Gaikwad’s in. He’s showing the selectors and the management that he’s ready to be there if Gill somehow doesn’t make the ICC Champions Trophy. Don’t forget that Gill missed the initial few games of the ODI World Cup 2023 due to illness, and if granted the opportunity, Gaikwad is ready to play alongside Rohit Sharma in Dubai.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ODI & List A record
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 6 | 115 | 19.16 | 0 | 1 | 71 |
| List A | 79 | 4279 | 59.43 | 16 | 17 | 220* |
