In the Duleep Trophy 2025 semi-final between the West Zone and Central Zone, the former’s middle-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad looked in brilliant touch with his bat and racked up a superb ton. After the early
departure of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (four off three) and Harvik Desai (one off four), Ruturaj’s responsibility was to stand at the crease and stabilise West Zone’s innings.
Standing at the crease, he stitched some crucial stands. With Aarya Desai, he built an 82-run partnership for the third wicket. After Aarya’s fall, West Zone lost Shreyas Iyer and Shams Mulani in quick succession but the right-handed batter held his nerves and held the one end.
Ruturaj Gaikwad played 206 deliveries and collected 184 runs with 26 boundaries (25 fours and a maximum). Ruturaj fell against off-spinner Saransh Jain as the former strove to attack the bowler by stepping out of the crease but got stumped out. Gaikwad’s knock is a message to the selectors that he can be effective for Team India in the middle-order position in cricket’s longest format if given the opportunity to play.
West Zone in commanding position after Day 1 of Duleep Trophy 2025 clash
After the first day’s play, West Zone are in a commanding position as they have accumulated 363/6 on the board. Tanush Kotian has looked confident with his bat. With West Zone reeling at a score of 137/4 in 35.4 overs, Kotian stood in the middle and supported Gaikawad. Both batters erected a 148-run stand for the sixth wicket.
After the end of the first day, Kotian and captain Shradul Thakur walked back to the dugout at their unbeaten scores of 65* and 24* respectively. From the Central Zone, Khaleel Ahmed and Saransh Jain took two wickets apiece while Deepak Chahar and Harsh Dubey also bagged one wicket respectively.
