Ruturaj Gaikwad Continues Piling On Runs In Vijay Hazare Trophy; Smacks 168 Runs In Semi-Final Against Assam

Ruturaj Gaikwad smacked 168 runs off 126 balls against Assam in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final.

Cricket Image for Ruturaj Gaikwad Continues Piling On Runs In Vijay Hazare Trophy; Smacks 168 Runs I (Image Source: Twitter)

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi-Final match on Wednesday (November 30th), Maharashtra captain and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad smacked yet another thunderous ton. In 126 balls faced, Gaikwad scored 168 runs. During this, Gaikwad smacked 18 fours (72 runs) and 6 sixes (36), adding 108 runs in just 24 balls through boundaries only. 

After missing out on the first few matches due to an injury, Gaikwad made a tremendous comeback. In 4 matches, Gaikwad has maintained an average of 276 and a strike rate of 122.66 to score 552 runs, smacking 3 centuries in the process. Prior to this, in the quarter-final match against Uttar Pradesh, Gaikwad played a historic knock of unbeaten 220 runs, including a unique record of smacking 7 sixes in an over. 

The century against Assam in the sem-final is Gaikwad's 11th century in the Vijay Hazare trophy and now has the joint most centuries by a batter in this tournament. Apart from Gaikwad, Ankit Bawane and Robin Uthappa have smacked 11 centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad in last 9 Vijay Hazare innings:

- 136 (112).
- 154* (143).
- 124 (129).
- 21 (18).
- 168 (132).
- 124* (123).
- 40 (42).
- 220* (149).
- 168 (126).

- Extraordinary, breathing, captain Ruturaj!

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 30, 2022

It is noteworthy that Ruturaj Gaikwad has been out of team India for quite some time now. In the upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh starting on 4th December, Ruturaj Gaikwad once again failed to make his place in the squad. 

100 Moment for Ruturaj Gaikwad !!! Another day, another 100 for him !! It has become a norm now....Stepped up big in both Quarter Final and Semi Final....This guy is so good man !4 matches and 3 100s in it ! pic.twitter.com/l8ykPF35h8

— Shantanu (@Shantanu630) November 30, 2022

In his last 9 innings in the Vijay Hazare trophy, Gaikwad has smacked 1,155 runs at an average of 192.5, including 7 centuries to his name. His match-by-match by knocks in VHT 2022 read: 136, 154*, 124, 21, 168, 124*, 40, 220* and 168.