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Ruturaj Gaikwad gave a phenomenal performance with the bat ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand. The Maharashtra skipper scored a fine century during the side's encounter against Uttarakhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Gaikwad's knock proved to be crucial for Maharashtra as they went on to post a huge total on the board.
After being invited to bat first, Maharashtra didn't have the best of starts as they lost opener Arshin Kulkarni early in the fourth over. Both Siddhesh Veer and Ankit Bawne got dismissed soon after for 12 runs each as the side went down to 50/3. They desperately needed some stability and they got it with the stand between Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi. The two looked to be in good touch, but the 50-run partnership came to an abrupt end as Tripathi was sent back to the pavilion for 33.
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Following the wicket, Gaikwad decided to completely shift gears and started scoring boundaries for fun. He was assisted well by Satyajeet Bacchav from the other end, who also scored runs at a decent pace. The two smashed the opposing bowlers all around the ground and went on to reach their half-centuries. The partnership was brought to an end by Devendra Bora, who got the wicket of Bacchav for 56.
Gaikwad brings up well-deserved hundred
The wicket didn't stop Gaikwad however, and he continued his onslaught against the Uttarakhand bowling attack. Next batter Ramakrishna Ghosh supported him well and the duo continued to maintain a superb run-rate for Maharashtra. Gaikwad eventually went on to bring up his century as the team crossed the 300-run mark. This was quite an important knock for the 28-year-old as he hadn't registered a hundred in domestic cricket for some time. The inning will likely help Gaikwad retain his place in India's ODI squad for the series against New Zealand that will commence from January 11.
Maharashtra post mammoth total
Ghosh's valiant cameo of 47 came to an end in the 48th over and Gaikwad lost his wicket for 124 in the final over as Maharashtra wrapped up their innings on 331/7. The batters have done a superb job from their end and it is now upto their bowlers to deliver and deny Uttarakhand of chasing down the 332-run target.
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