Ruturaj Gaikwad in CSK (Source: AFP Photos)
An 18-member Maharashtra squad for the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) has been announced. There, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been picked as well for the competition, scheduled to get underway on November 14.
Gaikwad played only one match in SMAT last year, which came against Jammu & Kashmir. There, he made six runs off eight deliveries.
However, given that his form in IPL 2026 as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain was concerning, he made himself available for the BCCI’s primary T20 domestic competition.
Prithvi Shaw Joins Ruturaj Gaikwad In Maharashtra Squad For SMAT 2026
Gaikwad will have Prithvi Shaw as his opening partner, while the likes of Arshin Kulkarni, Sahil Parakh and Rahul Tripathi are also there. Two more CSK stars, Ramakrishna Ghosh and Mukesh Choudhary, have also been picked.
Former CSK star Prashant Solanki, who joined KKR in the last edition of IPL auction for INR 30 lakh, has been named as well.
Maharashtra Squad For SMAT 2026/27
Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshin Kulkarni, Sahil Parakh, Rahul Tripathi, Suraj Shinde, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Tanay Sanghvi, Vicky Ostwal, Kiran Chormale, Ranjit Nikam, Pradeep Dadhe, Rushikesh Sonavne, Vivek Shelar, Hitesh Walunj, Prashant Solanki and Siddhesh Veer
Maharashtra are placed in Group C in SMAT 2026/27. Their first match will be against Puducherry on November 14.
Gaikwad's Recent Numbers
Ruturaj Gaikwad only averaged 28.08 in IPL 2026, and his aggregate of 337 runs came at a strike rate of 123.44. He has two 60+ scores, but on both occasions, his strike rate made headlines for unwanted reasons.
However, Gaikwad turned the tide in Ranji Trophy. There, in his only innings, he made a scintillating century against Jharkhand.
Gaikwad was exceptional for India A during the Tri nation series in Sri Lanka. There, he had tallied 274 runs across five innings, with the scores of 30 or more runs on all occasions.
In between, he had a dismal series against Australia A, making only 60 runs in three outings in their 50-over meeting at a strike rate of just over 65.
