Historic No.1 List A Milestone: Ruturaj Gaikwad Surpasses Michael Bevan’s Record
India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad etched his name into global cricket history by becoming the batter with the highest average in List A cricket, overtaking Australian great Michael Bevan. The landmark achievement came during the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Maharashtra and Goa on January 8 in Jaipur.
A Century That Rewrote History
Batting in a pressure situation after Maharashtra lost four early wickets, Gaikwad produced a calm and commanding knock. The right-hander finished unbeaten on 134 off 131 balls, an innings that included:
8 boundaries
6 sixes
His composed approach allowed Maharashtra to recover from early trouble and post a competitive total, underlining his ability to anchor an innings while accelerating when required.
Highest Average in List A Cricket
Following the unbeaten century, Gaikwad’s List A average rose to 58.83, surpassing Michael Bevan’s long-standing record of 57.86, a benchmark that had stood for decades in world cricket.
Gaikwad’s List A career numbers now read:
Runs: 5,060
Innings: 99
Average: 58.83
Strike Rate: 102.20
Breaking a record held by Bevan—one of the greatest one-day batters of all time—places Ruturaj among the elite names in List A cricket history.
Fastest to 5,000 Runs and 20 Centuries
The records continued to tumble for the Maharashtra skipper.
Ruturaj became the fastest player in history to complete the double of:
5,000 List A runs
20 List A centuries
He achieved the feat in just 99 innings, a remarkable indicator of both longevity and conversion rate at the top level of domestic cricket.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: Gaikwad in Command
The hundred against Goa was Gaikwad’s second century of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Leading Maharashtra from the front, he has been the backbone of their batting lineup.
So far this season, Ruturaj has scored:
413 runs in 7 matches
Average: 82.60
His consistency has ensured Maharashtra remain competitive throughout the tournament.
Level with Ankit Bawne in VHT Centuries
Ruturaj also reached another historic milestone in the match. He is now joint-highest century-maker in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, level with Ankit Bawne at 15 centuries each.
The contrast in their journeys makes the feat even more impressive:
Gaikwad: 15 centuries in 59 matches
Bawne: 15 centuries in 101 matches
The numbers underline Ruturaj’s exceptional efficiency in converting starts into hundreds.
Match Summary: Maharashtra Hold Their Nerve
After Ruturaj’s century laid the foundation, Maharashtra received valuable late contributions from:
Vicky Ostwal – 53
Rajvardhan Hangargekar – 32
The team finished on 249/7, a total that proved just enough.
Goa fought hard in the chase and came agonisingly close, finishing on 244/9, falling short by five runs. Maharashtra’s narrow victory owed much to Gaikwad’s composure and leadership at the top.
Why This Record Matters
Achievement is significant not just because of the record, but because of the consistency behind it. In an era dominated by power-hitting, he has shown that:
Technique and temperament still matter
Batting deep wins matches in List A cricket
Sustained excellence is more valuable than sporadic brilliance
Maintaining an average above 58 across nearly 100 innings is a rare feat in modern white-ball cricket.
What It Means for Indian Cricket
Gaikwad’s continued dominance strengthens his case as a long-term option in India’s ODI plans. With competition fierce at the national level, performances of this magnitude in domestic cricket are difficult to ignore.
Selectors place high value on:
Consistency over multiple seasons
Ability to bat through innings
Calmness under pressure
Gaikwad ticks every box.
Conclusion
Ruturaj Gaikwad surpassing Michael Bevan to become the highest-average batter in List A cricket history is a milestone that transcends domestic boundaries. It is a testament to discipline, class, and relentless consistency.
Written By The Cricket Show:
For more deep-dive features, player analysis and ODI breakdowns like this, keep following The Cricket Show – your home for smart, modern cricket coverage.
