Ruturaj Gaikwad Shines with 134 Runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Gaikwad's Record-Breaking Performance

New Delhi, January 8: Ruturaj Gaikwad captivated cricket fans with an impressive innings of 134 runs off 131 balls during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking a significant milestone in his career.

After being omitted from the squad for the ODIs against New Zealand, Gaikwad, who previously scored his first ODI century against South Africa last year, achieved his second century of the current season. This remarkable performance allowed him to tie with Ankit Bawne for the most centuries in the tournament's history, with both players now holding 15 centuries each.

While Bawne reached this milestone in 101 matches, Gaikwad accomplished it in just 59 matches, showcasing his exceptional talent.

Gaikwad's standout century came against Goa in the ongoing tournament. His impressive score of 134 not out, which included eight fours and six sixes, helped Maharashtra set a total of 249/7. Vicky Otswal also contributed significantly with a solid 53 runs off 82 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

In response, Goa's chase featured Lalit Yadav, who scored an unbeaten 57 runs off 67 balls, including five fours and a six. However, they fell short by five runs, finishing at 244/9, thanks to a stellar bowling performance from Prashant Solanki, who took four wickets for 56 runs.

Gaikwad's remarkable consistency is evident not only in his centuries but also in his overall performance across formats. In 59 matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has amassed 3,336 runs at an impressive average of 65.41 and a strike rate of 105.00.

Despite his outstanding form in the 50-over format, Gaikwad was not selected for India's upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11.