In a stunning display of form and resilience, Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a powerful message to the national selectors by equalling a prestigious domestic record. Just days after being overlooked for India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, the Maharashtra captain smashed his 15th century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, matching the all-time tournament record.
A Lone Warrior's Knock in Pune
The record-equalling feat unfolded on Thursday during Maharashtra's final league stage match against Goa in Pune. With his team already out of knockout contention and suffering a horrific top-order collapse, Gaikwad walked in at a precarious position. Maharashtra had lost three wickets for just two runs, putting immense pressure on the skipper.
Unfazed by the situation, Gaikwad waged a lone battle, anchoring the innings with a stoic and calculated knock. Batting at number five, he guided his team to a competitive total of 249 for seven in their 50 overs. Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 134 runs, facing 131 deliveries in an innings that included eight boundaries and six massive sixes. This was his second century of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy season, having previously scored one against Uttarakhand.
Record-Breaking Numbers and Elite Company
The century was not just another knock; it was a historic one. By reaching his 15th VHT hundred, Ruturaj Gaikwad equalled the tournament record for the most centuries. The remarkable aspect is the speed at which he achieved this milestone. Gaikwad needed only 59 innings to score these 15 centuries, showcasing phenomenal consistency.
He now shares the record with his senior Maharashtra teammate, Ankeet Bawane, who has also scored 15 centuries but took 94 innings to do so. This places Gaikwad in an elite bracket, ahead of other prolific scorers like Devdutt Padikkal, who has 14 centuries.
This innings was also Gaikwad's 20th century in List A cricket overall. He reached this landmark in just 95 innings, making him the fastest Indian batter to score 20 List A hundreds. During this knock, the 28-year-old also crossed the 5000-run mark in List A cricket in record time.
Soaring to the Top of the World Averages
Remaining not out in this innings had a significant impact on Gaikwad's career statistics. His List A batting average has now soared to an astounding 58.83. This figure is now the highest in the world among all batters who have played a minimum of 50 innings in List A cricket.
In achieving this, he has surpassed the legendary Australian finisher, Michael Bevan, whose celebrated career average stands at 57.86. This statistic underscores Gaikwad's incredible ability to score big runs and stay at the crease till the end.
The timing of this record-breaking performance adds a layer of intrigue. Last month, Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century for India against South Africa in Raipur while batting at the crucial number four position. Despite this, he was not included in the 15-member Indian squad selected for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Baroda.
The return to fitness of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer reportedly led to Gaikwad being overlooked. This decision was met with disappointment from several cricket experts and fans, who felt the Chennai Super Kings captain deserved a place based on his recent form. His monumental century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy serves as a potent reminder of his class and a compelling argument for his inclusion in future national team plans.
