Ruturaj Gaiwkad was among the cricketers who made an early start to the 2026-27 domestic season in the Duleep Trophy. Ruturaj is leading the West Zone cricket team in the elite competition. The right-handed batter struggled in the first innings for West Zone and departed for five. Ruturaj shone in the second innings and scored 66. His stay in the middle came to an end after being run-out by North Zone captain Kanhaiya Wadhwan. Ruturaj’s unique streak came to an end after he was run-out as he was dismissed in this manner for the first time in first-class cricket.
Ruturaj, who is playing his 48th first-class match, played 80 innings without being run out. On Tuesday (August 25), Ruturaj’s streak ended, courtesy of Wadhwan’s run-out.
Ruturaj is eyeing a return to the Test team. He made his Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra in 2016 and made it to the Test squad for the away series against West Indies in 2023. He remained on the bench in the series and was dropped. Ruturaj hasn’t been selected in the Test team since then.
Ruturaj has scored 3365 runs in 48 first-class matches he has played. His tally includes nine centuries and 17 half-centuries. He isn’t part of Team India in any format at present.
West Zone 67 runs away from win
West Zone are only 67 runs away from the win. They have three wickets in hand. Urvil Patel will kick off the proceedings with Mukesh Choudhary on the fourth day. All eyes will be on Urvil and he will have the onus to win the game for West Zone.
Winning the toss on the opening day, North Zone opted to bat first. Ayush Badoni and Anshul Kamboj scored half-centuries as North Zone scored 251. West Zone managed a score of 187 in their first innings.
North Zone 222 in their second innings, thus setting a target of 287. Musheer Khan (96) and Ruturaj (66) did their bit in the chase on day 3 and now all eyes are on Urvil.