When Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out to bat in the second ODI against South Africa on , few expected his innings to become a landmark — and yet still end in disappointment for India. In a blend of timing, composure, and controlled aggression, Gaikwad produced his maiden ODI century, an excellent 105, even as India were unable to defend a massive total and lost the match.
The knock that announced himself: Gaikwad’s maiden ODI century
Batting at No. 4, Gaikwad accelerated through the middle overs and reached his hundred in a rapid, authoritative display. He scored 105 off 83 balls (reaching the ton in 77 deliveries according to several reports), including a flurry of boundaries that showcased both his timing and intent. The innings combined textbook footwork with calculated aggression — boundaries off both pace and spin, sharp running between the wickets, and decisive use of the feet against the spinners.
Key points from the innings:
- Gaikwad’s century was his first in One Day Internationals and a major personal milestone.
- He struck 12 fours and 2 sixes while rotating strike effectively throughout the innings.
- The ton established Gaikwad as a middle-order batter capable of both anchoring and accelerating.
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AmazonPartnership and context: Kohli alongside Gaikwad
Gaikwad’s hundred was part of a huge partnership with Virat Kohli. The pair added 195 runs for the third wicket, with Kohli himself scoring a century. Their combined effort pushed India to a mammoth 358/5, and for large parts of the innings it looked like India had the game wrapped up — a textbook example of two in-form batters dominating a bowling attack and exploiting favourable conditions.
Why the century mattered
Beyond the immediate match situation, Gaikwad’s innings carried longer significance. It reinforced his credentials for a regular spot in ODI cricket: the shot selection, temperament under pressure, and ability to accelerate in the middle overs all suggested a player ready to contribute consistently at the international level. At 28, this innings could mark the start of a sustained run in the 50-over format.
A glamorous total — but the match slipped away
Cricket, however, is a collective sport. Despite India’s imposing 358/5, South Africa chased down 359 with four balls to spare. Aiden Markram played a match-winning innings, and contributions from the likes of Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke tilted the chase in South Africa’s favour. Dew later overs and heavy dew made bowling and grip tricky — conditions which the visitors exploited better on the night.
The result underlined an uncomfortable truth: even brilliant individual performances — including centuries from both Kohli and Gaikwad — cannot guarantee victory unless the full team executes across batting, bowling, and fielding disciplines.
What selectors and fans should take away?
For the selectors: Gaikwad’s century is a strong signal that he is prepared for extended ODI responsibilities. His mixture of timing, adaptability, and middle-over acceleration fills a gap in India’s batting options and gives the side another aggressive, technically sound choice when balancing the lineup.
For fans: the inning was a reminder that cricket rewards both genius and teamwork. Gaikwad gave India a superb platform; the loss highlights the importance of complementary bowling plans, sharper fielding, and tactical adjustments in dew-affected games.
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AmazonLonger-term implications
If Gaikwad builds on this performance, India could have a reliable middle-order force that can shift gears according to match situations. The knock will boost his confidence and strengthen his case to be a regular pick in the 50-over side. For Team India, converting such individual brilliance into consistent wins will require reassessing bowling strategies in dew-prone venues and sharpening execution at the death.
Conclusion
Ruturaj Gaikwad maiden ODI century was more than a personal milestone — it was a bold statement of intent. The fluent 105 demonstrated temperament, technique, and the ability to accelerate when required. Paired with a vintage Virat Kohli century, the innings had all the trappings of a match-winning performance. Yet cricket can be cruel: despite stacking up 358, India lost — a sobering lesson that even spectacular individual knocks must be backed by team balance to translate into victories.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available match reports and statistics from the second ODI between India and South Africa on . The author has compiled information from reputable sources; readers should consult original match reports and official scorecards for complete details.