INDvsSA 2nd ODI: Historic Day For Ruturaj Gaikwad as Maiden Century Boosts India Against South Africa

Ruturaj Gaikwad etched his name into cricket history on Wednesday with a magnificent maiden ODI century (105 off 83 balls, 12x4s, 2x6s) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, becoming the first player to score an international hundred at the venue during the second ODI against South Africa. The 28-year-old Maharashtra opener, batting at No. 4, combined with Virat Kohli's 53rd ODI ton (102 off 93 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s) for a record-breaking 195-run third-wicket stand—the highest for India against South Africa in ODIs—propelling the hosts to a daunting 358 for five in 50 overs.

India's innings began with early promise but suffered a double blow inside the powerplay: skipper Rohit Sharma (14) edged an away-angler from Nandre Burger to wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton after smashing three consecutive fours, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) holed out to Marco Jansen's extra bounce. Despite the setbacks, Gaikwad and Kohli rebuilt with effortless poise, rotating strike deftly and converting singles into twos, their partnership surpassing the previous best of 189 between Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in Durban 2018.

Gaikwad, who struggled at middle-order in the recent Ranchi Test, adapted seamlessly this time, reaching his half-century before unleashing fury on Keshav Maharaj with a six and two fours in the 28th over. He brought up three figures in the 34th with a pull shot over the ropes, silencing doubters and drawing roars from the 32,000-strong crowd. Kohli, meanwhile, was his imperious self, pulling off a flawless knock that extended his ODI century tally and moved him within one of Sachin Tendulkar's record 49.

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KL Rahul, promoted to No. 5 as stand-in skipper, capped a dominant display with an unbeaten 66 off 43 balls (6x4s, 2x6s)—his second successive fifty—ensuring no late wobble after Kohli's departure. Washington Sundar (0) fell cheaply again, but Rahul's aggression, including a six off Kagiso Rabada, pushed India past 350, setting a formidable target on a batsman-friendly pitch.

This was only the third international match at Raipur, following a T20I against Australia and an ODI versus New Zealand; Rohit Sharma's 51 had been the highest score until Gaikwad's landmark knock. The total of 358/5 is India's second-highest against South Africa (behind 433/8 in Johannesburg 2015) and their fourth-highest at home in ODIs.

With the series locked 1-0 after a seven-wicket win in the opener, South Africa's chase looms large under lights, where dew could play a factor. Gaikwad's ton not only boosts his credentials for the 2026 T20 World Cup but also signals India's batting depth amid ongoing experiments ahead of a packed white-ball calendar.

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