Maharashtra captain and opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad set a new List-A record on Monday as he smashed seven sixes in an over during the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter final match against Uttar Pradesh.
It was the penultimate over of Maharashtra’s innings when Gaikwad tore into spinner Shiva Singh and smashed him all around the ground to set the new world record.
A total of 43 runs came from the over, which includes a no-ball, and it equalled the combined effort of Brett Hampton and Joe Carter in a Ford Trophy game back in 2018.
Gaikwad remained unbeaten on a massive score of 220 from just 159 deliveries, an innings consisting of 10 fours and 16 huge sixes, to propel Maharashtra to a total of 330/5.
His double ton became the 39th double hundred ever recorded in List A cricket, and also the fifth-highest score by an Indian in the format. The highest score of 277 was recorded by N Jagadeesan of Tamil Nadu against Andhra Pradesh, which also came in this Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.
Gaiwad’s efforts helped Maharashtra to register a 58-run win over Uttar Pradesh and advance to the semi-finals. Aryan Juyal also played a magnificent knock of 159 to lead Uttar Pradesh’s chase but his effort fell short as he didn’t get enough support from the other batters. Rajvardhan Hangargekar was the pick of the Maharashtra bowlers as he claimed figures of 5/53. Maharashtra will take on Assam in the semi-final now on November 30, Wednesday.
