Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten century on the third day of Maharashtra's Ranji Trophy 2026-27 fixture against Jharkhand at MCA Stadium in Pune on October 20, 2026. Coming in at number seven rather than his usual position higher in the order, Gaikwad made 101 not out off 172 balls, striking six fours and one six. Maharashtra eventually declared their first innings on 527/5 in 150 overs, establishing a commanding advantage over Jharkhand, who had been dismissed for 169 in 58.2 overs.
Gaikwad had returned to the Maharashtra setup after representing India A in their home series against Australia. His willingness to bat lower in the order and still convert to three figures underlines the adaptability he has shown across formats and conditions in recent seasons.
The hundred is his tenth in first-class cricket. Across 49 matches in the format, Gaikwad has accumulated nearly 3,500 runs at an average of approximately 45, with 18 half-centuries complementing his ten hundreds. The milestone places him among the more productive batters in Maharashtra's recent domestic history.
How did Gaikwad and Bawne construct Maharashtra's total?
The most decisive phase of Maharashtra's innings was the sixth-wicket partnership between Gaikwad and Ankit Bawne. That stand carried the total well beyond 500 and gave Maharashtra the platform to declare from a position of clear strength.
Bawne contributed 169 off 253 balls, an innings that included nine fours. It was his second hundred of the season, scored from number five in the order. The two batters came together after Prithvi Shaw was dismissed for 21 off 25 balls by Manishi Singh, with Maharashtra placed at 345/5 after 95.1 overs. From that point, Gaikwad and Bawne took full control and batted through to the declaration.
With Jharkhand having conceded a first-innings total of 527/5 after being bowled out for 169, Maharashtra holds a lead of 358 runs as the match progresses in Pune.
What does this innings mean for Gaikwad's red-ball standing?
Reaching a hundred from number seven is a notable achievement in any first-class match, and Gaikwad's effort here adds further weight to his red-ball credentials. His ten first-class hundreds across 49 matches reflect consistent output rather than isolated performances, and his average of around 45 across nearly 3,500 runs supports that reading.
His return to the Maharashtra side for this Ranji Trophy fixture, immediately after India A duties, also signals his continued commitment to domestic red-ball cricket at a time when many senior players manage their workloads carefully. Batting in an unfamiliar position and still producing a match-shaping innings reinforces his value to the Maharashtra unit beyond his role as an anchor at the top of the order.
