![Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: crex/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792482927606_Ruturaj_Gaikwad.jpg?type=hq)
Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: crex/x]
Ruturaj Gaikwad started off his 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season on a triumphant note. The former Maharashtra skipper conjured a fighting century against Jharkhand in their Elite Group C match of the tournament at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
Remarkably, Gaikwad did so while batting at number seven for Maharashtra, and reached the landmark figure on Day 3 of the match.
Ruturaj Gaikwad tons up for Maharashtra
Ruturaj Gaikwad conjured a fighting century for Maharashtra, at number seven no less, against Jharkhand in match number 25 of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season in Pune.
Batting at an unfamiliar position owing to a specific situation that occurred earlier in the match, Gaikwad arrived to the crease after the fall of his skipper Prithvi Shaw at 345-5 in 95.1 overs.
The elegant right-handed batter subsequently forged over 150 runs with fellow centurion Ankit Bawne, and raced to the landmark figure from 172 balls with six boundaries and a six.
Notably, the innings marked Gaikwad’s tenth first-class century, doing so in his first appearance of the season itself after returning to the Maharashtra squad following the conclusion of India A’s home series against Australia.
With his latest batting masterclass, the 29-year-old unleashed another statement in front of the Indian men’s selection committee, who continue to ignore him from a place in the Indian Test side despite his prolific first-class record.
Test debut still a dream as Gaikwad completes 10 years in first-class cricket
Just a couple of weeks ago, Ruturaj Gaikwad officially completed a decade in his first-class career. The prolific Maharashtra made his format debut back in October 2016 at an age of 19, doing so during a Ranji Trophy 2016-17 match against Jharkhand in Delhi.
To date, he has played 49 first-class matches, aggregating nearly 3,500 runs in the process at a healthy batting average of 45. Gaikwad has also registered 10 hundreds and 18 fifties in his first-class career, and he maintains a healthy strike rate of above 60.
Despite his impressive numbers and consistent performances in the longer format, Gaikwad is yet to receive a Test call-up for India, making his latest century another timely reminder of his credentials. With a new domestic season now underway, the Maharashtra batter will hope to continue piling on the runs and eventually force the selectors to hand him the long-awaited opportunity in the Test side.
.jpg)
