In the Buchi Babu Trophy 2025, Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad made a triumphant return to competitive cricket. He celebrated his comeback with a brilliant century against Himachal Pradesh. This performance signals a return to form after an injury sidelined him during the Indian Premier League. The innings demonstrated that his batting prowess remains intact, despite recent setbacks. After Maharashtra chose to bat, the early dismissal of Siddhesh Veer put pressure on the team. However, Gaikwad, along with Arshin Kulkarni, asserted themselves, dominating the Himachal Pradesh bowling attack with impressive stroke play and composure. Kulkarni scored a notable 146 off 190 balls, which included sixteen boundaries and one six, while Gaikwad played with characteristic precision. At the end of Day 1, Maharashtra reached 300 for two, with Gaikwad not out at 104*, accompanied by skipper Ankeet Bawane (11*). This century is a confidence booster for Gaikwad before the upcoming domestic season. With 2,632 runs from 65 First-Class matches, including seven hundreds and 14 half-centuries, he is a key player in Maharashtra’s red-ball team. The innings raises hopes for his return to longer formats of the game. As the domestic season approaches, Gaikwad’s performance could be pivotal. His message is clear: injuries may have caused a temporary setback, but his ambition for runs and success remains strong.
