Maharashtra captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is building a strong case for his selection in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, thanks to an impressive start to his Ranji Trophy 2024/25 season. Gaikwad scored a crucial 86 runs against Jammu & Kashmir on Day 3 at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium that could catch the selectors’ attention.
Jammu & Kashmir set a hefty first-innings total of 519/7, led by Shubham Khajuria’s brilliant 255-run innings. Maharashtra, in reply, faced early struggles as they fell to 29/2 after Murtaza Trunkwala and Sachin Dhas were dismissed cheaply. Gaikwad’s entry at number four brought much-needed stability to the innings. Partnering with opener Siddhesh Veer, he formed a vital 175-run stand that helped Maharashtra recover from their precarious position. While Veer went on to convert his half-century into a century, Gaikwad was eventually dismissed for 86 by Yudhvir Singh after striking 13 boundaries.
Ruturaj Gaikwad with 86 in Ranji Trophy match against J&K sets the start of the Tournament high
Gaikwad’s performance adds to his already impressive First-Class record, which includes 2,368 runs at an average of over 42 across 34 matches. This knock marked his 13th half-century in the format, complementing the six centuries he has also scored. His consistency has been evident since the Duleep Trophy 2024, where he tallied valuable scores of 46, 58, and 62 for India C. Most of his innings also came at a high strike rate, showcasing his adaptability and reliability in modern-day red-ball cricket.
This phase of the domestic season could be critical for Gaikwad, as reports suggest he may be under consideration as a backup batter for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. The potential absence of India’s regular captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test, possibly due to personal reasons, could further bolster Gaikwad’s chances.
Gaikwad last represented India on Zimbabwe tour, where he showed glimpses of his talent and ability to handle international cricket. Given his solid form in recent matches, he seems on the verge of securing a Test debut. During the Duleep Trophy, he was a standout performer for India C, scoring 232 runs at an average of 38.66. His ongoing success in the Ranji Trophy strengthens his claim to a spot as a third opener for the upcoming series in Australia.
Despite his continuous performances, Ruturaj Gaikwad has yet to impress the national selectors to earn a permanent spot in the national squad. Hence, he will look to prove his worth in the going Ranji Trophy to make his way into the white-collar brigade ahead of the Australia series.
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