Ruturaj Gaikwad turns Rohit Sharma in Vijay Hazare Trophy to reclaim ODI spot after axing

Ruturaj Gaikwad Vijay Hazare Trophy: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad achieved a significant record during the last edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The right-handed batter became the second batter in the history of the domestic 50-over tournament to smash 100 sixes while playing for his state team.

Gaikwad is captaining Maharashtra in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The batter has scored 257 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 64.25 and a strike rate of 120.65, including one century and one half-century. He recorded scores of 124 off 113 balls and 66 off 52 balls in his last two matches.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Becomes the Fastest to Reach 100 Sixes in Vijay Hazare Trophy History

Ruturaj Gaikwad created history in the Vijay Hazare Trophy by becoming the fastest player to reach 100 sixes in the tournament. He achieved the milestone during the last edition. He began the current season already on 100 sixes and has added five more sixes in his first five matches.

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Among players with the most sixes in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, Gaikwad is just behind Manish Pandey, who smashed 108 sixes in 103 matches. Vishnu Vinod, Yusuf Pathan, and Ishan Kishan also feature in the top five list.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Dropped from India’s Squad for New Zealand ODIs

The selectors left Gaikwad out of the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India named the 15-player squad on January 3. Shreyas Iyer, who returned after recovering from injury, replaced Gaikwad for the upcoming series starting on January 11.

Gaikwad impressed in India’s recent ODI series against South Africa. He scored 105 runs off 83 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, in Raipur. The right-handed batter batted at No. 4 as Iyer was injured.

After Iyer returned to the squad, Gaikwad lost his place again. The 28-year-old has scored 228 runs in eight ODIs at an average of 28.50 and a strike rate of 89.77, including one century and one half-century.

Dropping Ruturaj Gaikwad Raises Questions as Shreyas Iyer’s Fitness Remains Uncertain

India included Shreyas Iyer in the squad, but his return depends on fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. He has not played since suffering a spleen injury on the Australia tour, which leaves his availability uncertain.

Gaikwad could have served as a backup at No. 4. He batted in the middle order during the South Africa ODIs and performed well. However, the selectors dropped him for the New Zealand series.

Yashasvi Jaiswal does not bat in the middle order. The team also retained Rishabh Pant as a middle-order option. Pant was part of the South Africa series but did not play a single match, as the team preferred Gaikwad at the time.

Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad breaks Virat Kohli's all-time record, becomes India's No.1 List A batter