Ruturaj Gaikwad Snubbed: Records Broken in Vijay Hazare But No India Call-Up

If you have been following Indian cricket this January, one name has been trending for all the bittersweet reasons: Ruturaj Gaikwad. The stylish Maharashtra batter and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain finds himself in a strange position. On one hand, he is breaking massive List A records; on the other, he has been left out of the national squad for the New Zealand series.

This article breaks down exactly why Ruturaj Gaikwad is the talk of the town, his recent record-breaking performances, and why cricket experts are questioning the selectors’ decisions.

The Big Snub: Missed Out on New Zealand Series

The biggest news shaking the cricketing circles this month was the BCCI’s announcement of the squad for the India vs New Zealand ODI series (played Jan 11–18, 2026). Despite scoring a brilliant century in his last ODI appearance against South Africa in December 2025, Ruturaj was dropped.

Fans were shocked when the selectors picked all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy over a specialist batter like Gaikwad. The decision sparked a debate on social media, with many asking: What more does he need to do?

Experts React to the Exclusion

Former cricketers were quick to voice their disappointment. Ex-India batter S. Badrinath openly questioned the logic, asking why a proven performer was sidelined for a bowling all-rounder in home conditions. Similarly, Sadagoppan Ramesh felt that Gaikwad was a “must-have” in the squad, especially given his current form.

Responding with the Bat: Historic Vijay Hazare Trophy

True to his calm nature, Ruturaj did not complain in the media. Instead, he went back to domestic cricket and let his bat do the talking.

Playing for Maharashtra in the 2026 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ruturaj played a match-winning knock that rewrote the history books. He smashed a composed 134 runs off 131 balls, leading his team to a crucial victory.

With this innings, he achieved two massive milestones:

1. Fastest to 20 List A Centuries: He reached this landmark in just 95 innings, beating the previous records held by legends.
2. Fastest Indian to 5,000 List A Runs: He surpassed giants like Virat Kohli in speed to this milestone.

His ability to convert starts into big hundreds has made him one of the most consistent players in the domestic circuit.

IPL 2026: The CSK Captaincy Awaits

While the national door remains temporarily shut, the IPL window is wide open. Ruturaj Gaikwad is all set to lead the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026.

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Reports from the CSK camp confirm that preparations are in full swing. MS Dhoni has already started his practice sessions, and the bond between the former captain and Ruturaj remains the backbone of the franchise. Fans are hoping that a stellar IPL season will force the national selectors to bring him back for the T20 World Cup later this year.

What Happens Next?

Ruturaj turns 29 tomorrow (January 31), entering the prime years of his career. His immediate focus will be:

• Leading Maharashtra in the remaining domestic season.
• Preparing for IPL 2026 which begins in March.
• Waiting for an opening in the Indian top order, potentially if an injury occurs or if senior players are rested.

For now, the message from Ruturaj is clear: he will keep scoring runs until he can no longer be ignored.

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