Raipur, December 3: Ruturaj Gaikwad announced his arrival as a dependable ODI batter with a commanding 105-run knock in the second ODI against South Africa at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. The inning his first ODI century came off just 77 balls and played a decisive role in taking India to a formidable 358/5.
Gaikwad walked in after India lost two early wickets and steadied the innings with remarkable composure. Showing a mix of classical timing and clean ball striking, he pierced gaps consistently and accelerated with confidence as the innings progressed.
A Breakthrough Knock Under Pressure
Gaikwad’s innings included 12 fours and 2 sixes, reflecting his ability to dominate both pace and spin. The right-hander initially focused on strike rotation before shifting gears in the middle overs, attacking anything fractionally short or wide.
What made the knock more significant was the match situation. India, at 34/2, needed stability. Gaikwad not only absorbed the pressure but turned the innings around with fluency and intent marking the most impactful ODI performance of his career so far.
195-Run Stand with Virat Kohli
A defining feature of India’s innings was the massive 195-run third-wicket partnership between Gaikwad and Virat Kohli. Their stand rebuilt India’s innings and neutralised South Africa’s early breakthroughs.
While Kohli scored his 53rd ODI hundred, it was Gaikwad who provided the early aggression and maintained the tempo throughout. Their partnership laid the platform for India to push beyond 350.
Turning Point for Gaikwad in ODI Cricket
Gaikwad had a modest outing in the first ODI, but his performance in Raipur marks a turning point. Already recognised for his success in the IPL and T20Is, questions persisted about his consistency in the 50-over format. With this century:
- He strengthens his case for a permanent spot in India’s ODI top order.
- He demonstrates adaptability to pressure situations.
- He showcases the temperament needed for long-format white-ball cricket.
His innings comes at a time when Indian cricket is looking to build a solid middle-order core ahead of the next ICC cycle.
India Sets a Strong Total
Following the Gaikwad–Kohli stand, contributions from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja lifted India to 358/5, one of their highest totals against South Africa in ODIs. The score places India in a commanding position, leaving the visitors a steep chase on a slowing Raipur surface.
Reaction and Impact
Cricket analysts hailed Gaikwad’s performance as “calm under pressure” and “a breakout moment.” Former players noted the clarity of his shot selection and the maturity shown despite limited ODI experience.
The Raipur crowd responded with roaring applause as Gaikwad raised his bat upon reaching the milestone — a fitting recognition for a performance that could shape his ODI future.
Also Read | Virat Kohli Hits 53rd ODI Century in Raipur, Powers India to Dominant Total
