Duleep Trophy: Gaikwad sizzles with classy knock

In Ruturaj Gaikwad’s last four first-class matches, he has scored 86 versus Jammu & Kashmir, 145 versus Mumbai, 89 versus Baroda and 184 versus Central Zone.

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

The first three came in the Ranji Trophy playing for Maharashtra while he smashed 184 in the Duleep Trophy on Thursday playing for West Zone.

The issue, however, is the long gap between the matches. His first two knocks were in October, and the 89 against Baroda in January as his season was plagued by injuries. No current Indian cricketer has been as unlucky with injuries as Gaikwad has been, the Chennai Super Kings’ captain's 2025 IPL was also cut short by an injury (elbow hairline fracture).

Thursday's Duleep Trophy game was his first top-level match since CSK’s IPL match on Apr 8, 2025, against Punjab Kings. His only preparation was one match for Maharashtra in the TNCA-organised Buchi Babu tournament last week.