Just days before India announces their squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, Ruturaj Gaikwad has delivered another timely reminder of his credentials. Fresh off his maiden ODI century against South Africa, the Maharashtra skipper strengthened his case for continued national selection with a match-defining hundred against Uttarakhand in Round 4 of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The rescue act could not have come at a better moment for Gaikwad. With reports of Shreyas Iyer’s potential return doing the rounds, the right-hander needed a statement innings and he delivered emphatically.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century leads Maharashtra’s recovery
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, Maharashtra suffered early setbacks, losing three wickets inside the powerplay to slump to 50/3. Walking in at 46/2, Gaikwad shouldered the responsibility of batting through the innings and steering his side to a competitive total in Jaipur.
The plan paid off handsomely as the captain compiled a composed 124 off 113 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes, anchoring the innings with authority.
Gaikwad stitched together three vital partnerships to revive Maharashtra’s innings. He added 50 runs off 81 balls for the third wicket with Rahul Tripathi, before forging a crucial 109-run stand off 88 balls alongside Satyajeet Bachhav. He then combined with Ramakrishna Ghosh for a rapid 94-run partnership off just 57 deliveries, playing the anchor role as the run rate surged.
Support came from Bachhav, who struck 56 off 45 balls, and Ghosh, who chipped in with 47 off 31, as Maharashtra posted a formidable 331/7 from their allotted 50 overs, placing themselves in a strong position to secure victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Gaikwad had also impressed with a blistering 38 not out off 13 balls against Sikkim, helping Maharashtra chase down 253 in just 18 overs during an eight-wicket win.
With one win from three matches so far, Maharashtra currently sit fifth in Elite Group C, making the ongoing contest a virtual must-win. Victory could potentially lift them to third place, although they will also be dependent on other results within the group.
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