Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad Produced a batting masterclass under pressure, scored a brilliant century to guide India A up to a respectable total against Sri Lanka A In the opening match of the Tri-Nation series on Monday. The brilliant right-handed batsman scored 101 runs in 114 balls, registering his 21st List A century and joining some of the most famous names of Indian cricket.
India A was in deep trouble after losing two wickets for just 17 runs at the start of the innings. Walking into a difficult situation, Gaikwad displayed remarkable composure and maturity and rebuilt the innings with accuracy and patience. His crucial 150-run partnership with captain Tilak Verma completely changed the contest and laid the foundation for India A’s final score of 277/6.
Very important century for Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad’s latest century is not just another addition to his impressive record. The milestone has historical significance as the 29-year-old equaled the list A century tally of former Indian captains Rahul Dravid And Gautam Gambhir. With 21 centuries to his name, Gaikwad has now joined an elite group of Indian batsmen who have consistently dominated the fifty-over format.
Looking at his current form and many years of cricket, the Maharashtra batsman is expected to overtake both Dravid and Gambhir in the near future. His next big target in this list is the former Indian opener Shikhar DhawanWho finished his List A career with 30 centuries.
Masterclass in difficult situations
What made Gaikwad’s innings even more special was its challenging context. Batting on the sticky surface of Dambulla against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack, the opener had to carefully assess the conditions before changing gears.
He started cautiously, focusing on strike rotation and ensuring that India A avoided further setbacks. As his innings progressed, Gaikwad displayed his trademark elegance and timing, hitting boundaries with ease while maintaining control throughout his stay at the crease. His innings included six fours and three sixes, highlighting both his technical soundness and ability to accelerate when required.
See also: Priyansh Arya faces strange run-out after clashing with Ruturaj Gaikwad in SL-A vs IND-A match
Indian batsman with most List A centuries
- Sachin Tendulkar – 60
- Virat Kohli – 59
- Rohit Sharma – 37
- Sourav Ganguly – 31
- Shikhar Dhawan – 30
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – 21
- Gautam Gambhir – 21
- Rahul Dravid – 21
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