The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was omitted from India’s 15-member squad of the Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has knocked on the door of the selectors with another fabulous milestone during the semifinal of the Duleep Trophy 2025 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground B in Bengaluru.

Playing for the West Zone, Gaikwad was slotted at number four. They lost their Indian opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal, for just four runs in three balls with one boundary as they lost the southpaw on the third ball of the innings. Their wicket-keeper, Harvik Desai, returned with just one run in four balls.

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At number four, Gaikwad celebrated a fine half-century. He held the attack on their own, initially weathering the lively Khaleed-Deepak Chahar attack with the new ball before crashing in against the spinners as they took West Zone to 116/3 in the first lunch break of the semifinal contest. He later went on to celebrate his century. When the score was last updated, the right-handed batter was on unbeaten 121 in 157 balls, thanks to 16 boundaries. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates a half-century for West Zone during Duleep Trophy 2025 semifinal

Under cloudy skies, the left-arm CSK pacer, Khaleel, got his revenge against Jaiswal just two balls after being clipped for a four through the square leg region. The batter played all around the nip-backer in front to get trapped before the stumps. Chahar got Desai caught at first slip. But Ruturaj was steady at the crease. He played and missed a few balls but looked solid against the spinners.

Forty-three of Gaikwad’s 55 runs came against the spinners before heading to the break. It was a vital knock from the right-handed Maharashtra batter, who celebrated a century during the recently concluded Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 after missing the biggest chunk of the IPL due to injury. He got 122 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 150.61.

It will be important for Gaikwad to continue the same form and rhythm before the start of the Ranji Trophy 2025. If he can do well, then it will be a chance for him to break into the Indian side. Anyway, they need a few players in the middle order after the poor returns from the five-match Test series against England in the UK.