• Ruturaj Gaikwad's masterful unbeaten century rescued Maharashtra from early collapse against Goa.

  • Gaikwad scored an exceptional unbeatens 134 runs facing just 131 deliveries.

Fans go berserk as Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes a record breaking century against Goa in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Fans go berserk as Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes a record breaking century against Goa in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (Image source: X)

In a thrilling Elite Group C clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 at Dr. Soni Stadium in Jaipur on January 8, 2026, Maharashtra elected to bat first against Goa. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Maharashtra skipper, anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 134 off 131 balls, featuring eight fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 102.29. Fans erupted in frenzy online, hailing his knock as a masterclass amid early collapses.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s record-shattering hundred against Goa in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Gaikwad turned the tide single-handedly, smashing his way to an unbeaten 134 that propelled Maharashtra to 249/7 in 50 overs. Facing a precarious 2/3 after quick dismissals of Prithvi Shaw (1), Arshin Kulkarni (0), and Ankit Bawne (0), Gaikwad rebuilt with grit, reaching his century in style. His aggressive shot-making, including lofted covers and powerful pulls, silenced Goa’s bowlers like Vasuki Koushik (3/38), who struck early.​

This innings marked Gaikwad’s latest Vijay Hazare gem, building on his storied domestic form where he has notched joint most tons, including a double century earlier in the tournament. Social media buzzed with “GOAT” chants as clips of his sixes went viral, underscoring his evolution from IPL star to List A powerhouse. Maharashtra’s fightback owed everything to his composure under pressure.​

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Here’s how fans reacted:

Maharashtra puts up a fighting total in first innings

Maharashtra scraped together a fighting 249/7 despite an early collapse, as Gaikwad’s unbeaten 134 held the innings together, finding solid support from Vicky Ostwal’s patient 53, scored off 82 balls. Rajvardhan Hangargekar added a sharp finish, smashing 32* from just 19 deliveries to lift the tempo to 4.98 an over. The defining alliance was the 96-run stand for the seventh wicket, before Ostwal departed at 158/7, late in the 42nd over.

The innings began disastrously, with wickets falling at 1-2, 2-2 and 3-2, before further losses at 16, 25, and 52. Maharashtra also benefited from seven extras, including two no-balls and five wides. Goa’s attack worked hard, with Arjun Tendulkar, Deepraj Gaonkar, Darshan Misal and Lalit Yadav sharing the damage, but Gaikwad remained unmoved. At the interval, Goa faced a stiff chase.

Also READ: EXPLAINED: Why Virat Kohli is not playing for Delhi in today’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 clash against Railways

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Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .