Gaikwad and Kohli dominate SA with twin centuries in 2nd ODI

The second ODI between India and South Africa in Raipur will be remembered by Indian fans for a partnership that showcased a star in full bloom and a legend operating at his seamless best.

Gaikwad Arrives in Style

Ruturaj Gaikwad turned Raipur into the stage of his true ODI arrival, delivering on years of promise at the highest level. His maiden ODI hundred came with authority — a wristy pull off Corbin Bosch, placed in front of square to bring up a 77-ball century. Helmet off and bat raised, he barely had a moment to take it in before Virat Kohli joined him for a brief, telling embrace.

Coming in after an early wobble, Gaikwad instantly looked tuned to the pitch. His early timing was crisp, his shot selection precise. As he settled, his entire range unfolded: the swivel pulls, the inside-out drives against spin, the sweeps, the charged-down lofts. Whenever South Africa tightened the scoring, he found a boundary to break the pressure.

Gaikwad’s ton was the second-fastest by an Indian against South Africa, behind Yusuf Pathan’s 68-ball effort. He eventually fell for a superb 105 off 83, attempting to push the scoring once more.

Kohli’s 53rd ODI Ton

At the other end, Kohli crafted an innings in the way only he can — quietly, efficiently, almost invisibly until the scoreboard forces you to appreciate the damage. He absorbed early pressure, played late, and then began threading gaps with mechanical precision. The running between the wickets was relentless, turning singles into twos and stretching the fielders to breaking point.

Coming on the back of his 135 off 120 in Ranchi, this was Kohli’s second consecutive century, his 53rd in ODIs and 84th in international cricket. He reached the milestone off 90 balls, guiding a Marco Jansen delivery with soft hands to long-on.

This was also the 11th time Kohli has hit back-to-back hundreds in ODIs. The knock further strengthens his case for a spot in India’s squad for the ODI World Cup in South Africa. His innings ended on 102 off 93, dismissed by Lungi Ngidi.