Ruturaj Gaikwad has responded emphatically to being left out of India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand by setting a new world record in List A cricket that stood for two decades.
In Maharashtra’s Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Goa at the Dr Soni Stadium, Gaikwad played a commanding unbeaten knock of 134 off 131 balls, guiding his side to a competitive total. With this innings, the Maharashtra skipper now holds the highest batting average in the history of List A cricket, surpassing the legendary Michael Bevan a mark that had gone unbroken for nearly 20 years.
The 28-year-old’s consistency in the 50-over format has been remarkable. He has amassed over 5,000 runs in List A cricket, including 20 centuries and 19 half-centuries in just 95 innings, boasting an average that now eclipses Bevan’s long-standing 57.86 benchmark.
Despite his prolific domestic form — highlighted by recent heroics and record-breaking performances Gaikwad’s omission from India’s ODI squad has sparked debate among fans and former cricketers alike. However, his latest achievement has put selectors on notice and reinforced his credentials as one of India’s premier limited-overs batsmen.
