Ruturaj Gaikwad produced a spectacular innings to score his maiden ODI hundred in the second match of the India vs South Africa series at the SVNS International Stadium on Wednesday. The Maharashtra batter reached his milestone with a stylish pull for four, finishing his innings with 12 boundaries and two sixes.
Coming in at number four following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in the 10th over, Gaikwad began assertively, driving a four off keeper Marco Jansen. Partnering with Virat Kohli, he anchored the innings with smart strike rotation and frequent boundary hitting. The 28-year-old reached his century in just 77 deliveries during the 34th over, eventually falling for 105 off 83 balls to Jansen.
This innings marks a strong comeback for Gaikwad, who last represented India in December 2023 and scored just eight runs in the first ODI of the series. Before this knock, he had registered only a single fifty in seven innings for India.
In List-A cricket, Gaikwad has been prolific, notching 18 centuries with a career-best 220 not out for Maharashtra against Uttar Pradesh in 2022. His fluent century against South Africa reinforces his growing reputation as a key middle-order batter for India.
