Ruturaj Gaikwad struck his maiden ODI hundred in Raipur on Wednesday, becoming the first batter to score a century at the venue. His 195-run stand with Virat Kohli powered India to 358, but South Africa chased the target to win by four wickets.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad announced his return to international cricket in style, scoring his maiden hundred at Raipur on Wednesday. Filling in for Shreyas Iyer, Gaikwad batted at number four in the second ODI against South Africa and showcased his composure with a massive 195-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket, helping India post a total of 358 runs.
Gaikwad’s hundred in tough times
When Gaikwad reached the crease, India were reeling at 62 for two after the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pitch was nothing like the one seen at Ranchi. There was no true bounce, which made batting difficult.
In such a situation, Gaikwad was dealt a snorter first up by Marco Jansen, a ball that would have dismissed many batters. However, Gaikwad survived a scare as the ball brushed his glove and flew over the keeper to the boundary.
Gaikwad was tentative from there onwards, playing one ball at a time, but his approach remained positive as he continued to put away the loose deliveries. It took him 52 balls to reach his first fifty, a grinding knock built on strike rotation.
Those first fifty runs involved several singles and doubles, as both Kohli and Gaikwad communicated well and kept the scoreboard moving. It was a steady phase of rebuilding, and the pair handled it smartly. Only after crossing the fifty-run mark did Gaikwad truly begin to open up.
In the 20-odd balls that followed, he played some of the most fluent cricket associated with him. While the first fifty took 52 balls, the next came in just 25. His acceleration included nine fours and a massive six against Keshav Maharaj. That shift in tempo eased the pressure on Kohli too, allowing him to settle into his natural rhythm.
The 195-Run Kohli–Gaikwad Stand
The partnership between Kohli and Gaikwad was the backbone of India’s innings. Their 195-run stand transformed a precarious start into a position of strength, giving India a platform for a competitive score. Kohli’s century at the other end ensured the pressure never shifted back to the South African bowlers.
Gaikwad crates history in Raipur
Gaikwad’s century also carried historic weight — he became the first batter ever to score an ODI century at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. His knock set the tone for India’s strong first-innings total.
Despite the twin centuries and India’s imposing 358 for 5, the result did not go their way. Aiden Markram’s well-paced 110, supported by Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke, guided South Africa to a four-wicket win. The visitors chased down 359 with composure, levelling the series 1-1 and leaving India to reflect on a lost opportunity despite a standout Gaikwad ODI Century.
