For one, it could add to the reasons for an international call-back. For the other, another pivotal innings could finally open the door to the India team.
As Assam gear to take on Maharashtra in the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Amedabad on Wednesday, the spotlight is firmly focussed on the two batters who hogged majority of it in the respective quarterfinals on Monday.
While Ruturaj Gaikwad was instrumental in earning Maharashtra the last-four berth with his record-setting unbeaten knock of 220, Riyan Parag continued his sizzling form at the domestic one-day tournament with a vital 174 that helped Assam chase down a steep target of 351.
Chennai Super Kings' anchoring batter and seasoned performer for Maharashtra, Ruturaj, has represented India in two T20 Internationals and a single ODI. And in the quarterfinal against Uttar Pradesh, the Maharashtra skipper was at his belligerent best. He led from the front, hitting seven sixes in an over — a new record in List A cricket.
He will be eager to make his chance with the bat count once again for a recall in India colours, having missed four of their six group games after coming back from the India squad post the home series against South Africa.
Riyan, on the other hand, has had a memorable season for Assam so far with three centuries already to his credit and has played a major part in Assam's best-ever campaign in the premier tournament since 2012-13.
He has amassed 537 runs from eight matches and has done that at an average of 76.71 and a strike rate of 122.88. The Rajasthan Royals batter will also be excited by the prospect of another important innings for his team as well as his hopes of making it into the India fold.
However, Assam's exceptional run this season has come on the back of the team performing as a unit. And the Kunal Saikia-led side will hope for the same to continue against Maharashtra, after having beaten the likes of Karnataka, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir en route the semifinal.
Rishav Das, whose partnership with Riyan was essential to the Assam cause, hit an unbeaten 114 on Monday and will be a vital cog in the Assam batting order for the northeast team, along with opener Sibsankar Roy.
Among the bowlers, Avinov Choudhury and Rajjakuddin Ahmed will have to play important roles for Assam in their hopes of a place in the final, a feat that they last achieved 10 years back.
However, in a season where the batters and the mighty totals have mostly overshadowed the show from the bowlers, it might end up to be a battle between two of the season's top performers with the bat — Ruturaj and Riyan — and the better player on Wednesday may take his team to the summit clash.
In the other semifinal of the day, Karnataka will face off against Saurashtra.
