Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed yet another century in the ongoing edition of Vijay Hazare trophy to go past 500 runs in India's top domestic tournament. Gaikwad smashed 100 off 95 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. Gaikwad led Maharashtra's chase of 310, leading from the front with a fourth ton of the season in five matches. Following scores of 136 against Madhya Pradesh, 154 not out against Chhattisgarh, 124 against Kerala and 21 vs Uttarakhand, Gaikwad, was once again up to his marauding best, with his 11th List A century. With this, Gaikwad has joined the likes of Virat Kohli, Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal for the most number of centuries scored in a single edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic 50-over competition.
Kohli was the first to do it back in 2009/10, season, followed by Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal, both of whom registered four tons during the 2020/21 season. In his last three centuries, he scored 136, 154*, 124 and with his latest feat, he has become the first player of the season to amass massive 500 runs under his belt. Gaikwad has presented a solid case for himself to be rewarded with a place in India's ODI squad for the tour of South Africa. Gaikwad made his international debut this year while the second-string Indian team was on their tour to Sri Lanka. The side was led by Shikhar Dhawan where he got to play two T20Is.
