Maharashtra’s first day of the Ranji Trophy could have been a total disaster. However, what initially appeared to be a disaster for the cricket family turned into one of those courageous comeback stories that make the domestic cricket scene worth watching.
Ruturaj Gaikwad presented an inning of 91 runs at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram which practically saved his team from a great deal of trouble.
The Horrible Start that Nobody Expected?
The moment Kerala won the toss and opted to bat first, their bowlers took the attack and gave the opposition no respite. MD Nidheesh and NP Basil made the Maharashtra’s top order crumble like a house of cards.
Here’s how bad things got:
- Prithvi Shaw got out for a duck in just four balls
- The score read 0/3 before Maharashtra could even settle in
- By the time 11 overs were done, it was 18/5
- Four batters went back without scoring a single run
Shaw’s move from Mumbai to Maharashtra was supposed to be his fresh start. The guy hadn’t played for the national team since 2021 and needed this badly. But Nidheesh had other plans. He trapped Shaw with an inswing delivery that caught him completely off guard.
Gaikwad Steps Up When It Mattered Most
While his teammates were walking back to the pavilion one after another, Gaikwad stayed calm. The Chennai Super Kings captain showed exactly why he’s rated so highly in cricket circles.
The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on. Heavy overnight rain had left moisture that helped the seamers get serious movement. Gaikwad got beaten a few times early on. But here’s what made his knock special – he didn’t panic.
His approach was simple:
- Keep the hands soft and close to the body
- Block and leave the dangerous balls
- Wait for the right moment to score
- Make late adjustments when needed
His first boundary came from what looked like a regular forward defensive shot that went straight down the ground. That’s how patient he was out there.
The Partnership That Changed Everything
The entry of Jalaj Saxena coincided with the entrance of Gaikwad and brought about the stability that Maharashtra was looking for. The experienced player of 38 years had a perfect understanding of the situation. He began to put the bowlers under pressure through his slicing and driving strokes.
The duo forged an impressive partnership of 122 runs which totally turned the match around. Saxena, who had earlier represented Kerala, was back to face his former team. He was close to his 35th first-class fifty but was dismissed leg before wicket by Nidheesh for 49 runs.
For the people watching on Khelofun or getting regular match updates, this partnership was simply fun to watch. The manner in which these two players resurrected the innings after such a disintegration was deserving of all the limelight.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Gaikwad came through with a whopping 91 runs off 151 balls. He was caught out by Eden Apple Tom when he was just nine runs shy of a hundred. But his 91 runs were like a thousand gold coins in the present context.
MD Nidheesh returned with 4/42 at the end of the day, proving how excellent he was with the ball. NP Basil also took crucial wickets. Together, they made it extremely difficult for the Maharashtra batters.
When bad light halted the game prematurely, the Maharashtra batsmen, somehow, had got to 179/7 in 59 overs. From 18/5 to 179/7 – that’s a comeback that most teams would only dream of.
What This Means Moving Forward
In the end, Gaikwad’s 91 runs were more than just one match’s worth of runs. The boy is trying very hard for the Test team spot. Only three matches ago he made 184 runs off Australia A. Now this 91 run innings on an unfavorable wicket proves that he is a good candidate for the Tests.
Shaw, however, is in a different situation. His very short but disastrous fourth ball duck is yet another hurdle in a tough road and an indicator of his downfall. He lost IPL contract, changed team, and was hoping Ranji Trophy would be his redemption arc. A single bad day does not mean the end, but he must recover very soon.
Cricket fans on sites like Khelofun were the witnesses to how the calmness of one player can turn around the wrong situations. Gaikwad’s innings will be regarded as a classic not only because of how he played but mainly the pressure he eased off himself and the team.
The Takeaway
Maharashtra changed from a position of near death to a day in the end being respectable. All this happened due to one man who did not allow his nerves to get the better of him.
Gaikwad’s 91 runs taught us that technical expertise is important, but mental fortitude is even more important. When your side is at 18/5 and sinking, it takes something unique to keep the focus.
Kerala bowlers struck at the very start with their guns. They shot down the top order and put the Maharashtra team exactly where they wanted. But cricket is such a thing that – a single good partnership may change the whole scenario.
As the Ranji trophy goes on, this match will somehow always remain in the memory of people for Gaikwad’s rescue act. From coming in at 0/2 to striking 91 and making a 122-run partnership with Saxena, he practically reinvented what appeared to be a lost cause.
