Indian pastry Ruturaj Gaikwad Produced a batting masterclass under pressure, scored a magnificent century for the leader India A for a respectable sum against Sri Lanka A Monday in the Tri-Nation Series opener. The elegant right-hander hit 101 off 114 deliveries to record his 21st List of Centuries and earn a place alongside the most famous names in Indian cricket.
India A were in deep trouble early in the innings after losing two wickets for just 17 runs. Faced with a tough situation, Gaikwad showed remarkable composure and maturity to recover the innings with precision and patience. His crucial partnership of 150 with captain Tilak Varma turned the contest around and laid the foundation for India A’s final 277/6.
A century of great importance for Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad’s last hundred was just another addition to his impressive record. The milestone held historical significance as the 29-year-old equals the century list of former Indian captains. Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. With 21 hundreds to his name, Gaikwad now joins the elite Indian batting group that has consistently dominated the fifty-plus format.
Given his current form and few years of cricket, the Maharashtra batsman is expected to surpass both Dravid and Gambhir in the near future. The next top target on the list is the former Indian player Shikhar DhawanList A completed his career with 30 centuries.
A master class in difficult conditions
What made Gaikwad’s innings even more special was the difficult context in which it came. Batting on a sticky Dambulla surface against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack, the batsman had to assess the conditions carefully before shifting gears.
He started cautiously, focused on his strike rotation and ensured that India A avoided further setbacks. As his shots progressed, Gaikwad displayed his trademark finesse and timing, finding boundaries with ease while maintaining control throughout his time at the crease. His knock featured six fours and three sixes, highlighting both his technical soundness and his ability to accelerate when required.
Indian batters who made the list of most 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
