Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a stunning maiden ODI century that turned the second ODI against South Africa into a showcase of Indian batting brilliance. After eight matches in the format, Gaikwad finally unlocked the milestone many had been expecting from him. And he did it in style.
The early stages of India’s innings were anything but ideal. Two wickets fell cheaply, and suddenly India were staring at the possibility of another collapse. But Gaikwad, calm and composed, took responsibility and anchored the innings. He built his innings with calculated aggression, picking the right deliveries to attack and showing tremendous composure under pressure.
Partnering with Virat Kohli, Gaikwad formed a formidable pairing that dismantled South Africa’s plans. Their 195-run stand was built on trust, timing and pure cricketing intelligence. Singles came at will, boundaries arrived frequently, and bowlers were left frustrated.
Gaikwad reached his maiden hundred in 77 deliveries. His fluent strokeplay—the drives, the flicks, the lofted shots—kept the crowd on its feet. He scored 105, striking 12 fours and two sixes before eventually getting dismissed. With this hundred, he became only the latest name in India’s long list of rising batting stars.
This innings adds to the century he earlier scored in T20Is. With two international centuries in 31 games, Gaikwad’s credentials as a multi-format batter are strengthening rapidly.
Kohli, meanwhile, continued his remarkable consistency with yet another ODI hundred. His 102 from 93 balls was a lesson in pacing an innings. He absorbed pressure when required and controlled the innings with authority.
India’s intent was clear from the moment both batters settled: build a massive total and dominate the opposition. Their approach echoed the first ODI, where India scored 349 and secured victory by 17 runs. In Raipur as well, the signs of another huge total were evident early.
The partnership between Gaikwad and Kohli kept the crowd roaring throughout. Raipur witnessed not just a century, but the emergence of confidence, belief and a future star ready to carry India’s cricketing hopes forward.