Ruturaj Gaikwad surpasses Virat Kohli to set new list record

Ruturaj Gaikwad has added another big line to his domestic record book. The Maharashtra opener now has the highest List A batting average by an Indian, at least 50 innings, going past Virat Kohli.

Gaikwad reached the target during Maharashtra’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Mumbai. He scored 66 off 52 balls to score 126.92, with seven clean boundaries, as he looked in complete control.

With that blow, Gaikwad’s average in List A has risen to 57.69. Kohli’s score stood at 57.67, a figure that many thought would be difficult to beat in Indian one-day cricket.

Gaikwad’s rise in List A cricket has been steady and sustained. He made his Vijay Hazare Trophy debut in the 2016-17 season and announced himself with a century against Himachal Pradesh. Since then, he has been one of the most reliable batsmen in domestic one-day cricket.

Runs have followed him almost every season, whether he was at the top of the rankings or playing as an anchor. His calm approach and ability to score at a healthy pace have made him a standout in the format.

At international level, Gaikwad made his ODI debut in October 2022. He then spent a long spell out of the 50-over line-up between December 2023 and November 2025 before clawing his way back with a century against South Africa.

In the current Indian ODI lineup, Gaikwad has replaced Shubman Gill and is at number 4 due to the absence of Shreyas Iyer. His recent form has prompted him to remain in the mix even if first-choice players return.

The new record also places Gaikwad in an elite global company. Only Michael Bevan with an average of 57.86 and Sam Hain with 57.76 are above him in the all-time List A charts. Cheteshwar Pujara is also in the top five, which underlines the quality of the list.

However, Kohli could soon regain the Indian record. He will play for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 6, adding another layer of intrigue to the race.

For now, Gaikwad’s performance underlines his status as one of India’s best List A batters. With domestic dominance and a timely return to the ODI format, the selection questions can only get tougher in the coming weeks.