Ruturaj Gaikwad has set an emblazing record in limited-overs cricket. The Maharashtra captain, playing in the quarter-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy hit seven sixes in a sole over. Batting against Uttar Pradesh in Ahmedabad, Gaikwad hit seven sixes in a single over becoming the first-ever to do so in List-A cricket. Ultimately, Gaikwad also reached the record of hitting 43 runs in an over. Only the second to do so after the pair of Brett Hampton and Joe Carter who scored in the Ford Trophy in 2018.
Maharashtra was pitched against Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Batting first, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad opened the attack from Maharashtra. Batting spectacularly and anchoring the Maharashtra innings, Gaikwad went all guns blazing in the penultimate over of the game. The right-handed Chennai Super Kings batter hit Uttar Pradesh bowler Shiva Singh for seven sixes. Bashed with five sixes in a row, Singh fumbled with a no-ball, giving off a free hit. Gaikwad picking up the flow hit the free hit for the six and sealed off the over with a final hit on the last ball.
Ultimately, Gaikwad took the team’s total from 272/5 to 315/5 within a single over. As for individual knock, Gaikwad scored a double-ton, ending his spectacular play at the score of 220*(159). The captain batted at a strike rate of 138.36 hitting 10 fours and a record 16 sixes in the match. Consequently, Shiva Singh’s spell was spoiled, finishing with 0 for 88 from nine overs. While Gaikwad score a total of 220 runs, the rest of the batters managed to score just 96 off 142 deliveries. And the first innings turned out to be a one-man show with the captain turning the gears in the quarter-final.
