Maharashtra batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has scripted history in List A cricket by becoming the player with the highest batting average ever recorded in the format, overtaking Australian legend Michael Bevan. The landmark achievement comes just days after Gaikwad was left out of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, making his response with the bat all the more emphatic.
Gaikwad now boasts a stunning List A average of 58.83, surpassing Bevan’s long-standing record of 57.86. He achieved the milestone during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) on Thursday, when he smashed an unbeaten 134 off 131 balls against Goa in Jaipur.
Consistency That Redefines List A Excellence
The right-handed batter has accumulated 5,060 runs in List A cricket at an impressive strike rate of 102.20, underlining both his consistency and attacking intent. With this knock, Gaikwad also became the fastest player in history to score 20 List A centuries and complete 5,000 runs, reaching the milestone in just 99 innings.
Despite being overlooked for the New Zealand ODI series, Gaikwad has let his bat do the talking. The century against Goa was his second hundred of the current Vijay Hazare Trophy season, and it helped him equal Ankit Bawne’s record for the joint-most centuries in the tournament’s history, with 15 tons each.
What sets Gaikwad apart is the pace at which he has achieved these numbers. While Bawne took 101 matches to reach 15 centuries, Gaikwad accomplished the same feat in just 59 matches, highlighting his extraordinary efficiency at the domestic level.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Numbers Speak Volumes
Gaikwad’s dominance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is reflected in his career numbers. In 59 VHT matches, he has scored 3,336 runs at a phenomenal average of 65.41 and a strike rate of 105.00, making him one of the most prolific performers in the tournament’s history.
Against Goa, his fighting 134 not out, laced with eight fours and six sixes, anchored Maharashtra’s innings and guided them to 249/7. He received solid support from Vicky Otswal, who contributed a valuable 53 off 82 balls.
Maharashtra Edge Past Goa in Thriller
In response, Goa put up a spirited chase, led by Lalit Yadav’s unbeaten 57 off 67 balls, which included five fours and a six. However, they fell agonisingly short, finishing at 244/9, five runs shy of the target. Maharashtra’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Prashant Solanki, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4/56.
As Gaikwad continues to pile up records at the domestic level, his historic List A average and relentless consistency are likely to reignite conversations about his place in India’s limited-overs plans.