Gaikwad equals record for most centuries in VHT

• Gaikwad's unbeaten 134 helped Maharashtra recover to 249 after a disastrous start.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad equaled the record for most Vijay Hazare Trophy hundreds.
• Gaikwad broke records, surpassing Bevan's List A average and scoring 5000 runs quickly.

Ruturaj Gaikwad continued breaking records in the domestic circuit as he smashed his 20th List A century on Thursday against Goa. Maharashtra are already out of contention for making it to the knockouts.

They were batting first and lost three wickets for just two runs. They further stumbled to 52/6 in conditions that were tough for batting. Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad walked in and absorbed the pressure. He came to bat at number five with the team struggling and formed a partnership with Vicky Ostwal. These two players combined for a 108 run stand for the seventh wicket.

Ruturaj Gaikwad on his way, brought up his 20th List A century and to equal record for the most hundreds in the history of Vijay Hazare Trophy with Ankit Bawne. He looked in ominous touch smashing six sixes and eight fours as he remained unbeaten on 134 runs of 131 balls. His innings enable Maharashtra to post a competitive score of 249. During this knock, Ruturaj Gaikwad also crossed 5000 List A runs in record time. This 20th century for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the 50 over format has come in just 95 innings, making him the quickest to reach the landmark.

As he ended the innings on 134, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s List A average is currently 58.83 making it the highest in the world among all players who have batted in at least 50 innings, surpassing Australia legend Michael Bevan’s career mark at 57.86. This was a knock for the ages as the pitch was not easy for batting and his team were struggling.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out from the squad for New Zealand ODI series but this innings serves a timely reminder that he is still knocking the door. In the previous ODI series against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century in 77 balls in the second match where he batted at middle order in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. One thing has been clear that Ruturaj has continued his excellent form and is putting pressure on the selectors.

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