IND vs SA: Raipur lights up with scintillating tons from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad

Utilising his much-awaited opportunity seamlessly, Ruturaj Gaikwad notched up his maiden ODI ton in Raipur as the hosts took on the Proteas in the second clash. Making the occasion merrier, the fan-favourite and arguably one of the best ODI batters, Virat Kohli, brought up his second consecutive century. During the IND vs SA series opener in Ranchi, Kohli hit his 52nd ton in the format, becoming the batsman with the highest number of centuries in a single format. In Raipur, Kohli topped it off with another dominant show, taking on the Proteas attack to score his 53rd ODI hundred.

Ruturaj Gaikwad makes the most of his much-awaited opportunity, notches maiden ODI ton in Raipur

The IND vs SA 2nd ODI in Raipur marked an unforgettable moment for Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Maharashtra batsman has battled multiple unprecedented challenges in his international career. Hovering at the fringes of selection, Gaikwad has repeatedly missed out on significant chances to break into the main setup. The opportunity finally opened up in the India vs South Africa ODI series as the captain–vice-captain duo of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer sat out with their respective injuries.

Slotted into the middle order, in contrast to his usual role as a top-order batter, Gaikwad struggled to make an impact in the opener in Ranchi. However, the 28-year-old made the most of his chance in Raipur, partnering with Virat Kohli in the IND vs SA 2nd ODI. Making a definitive statement about his ODI credentials, Gaikwad dismantled South Africa’s attack with relentless consistency.

The maiden ODI century of Ruturaj Gaikwad arrived with authority. He brought up the milestone with a classy pull off Corbin Bosch, rolling his wrists over the short ball and dispatching it in front of square to move to 100 off 77 deliveries. He lifted his bat and removed his helmet, barely settling into the moment before Kohli walked over, and the pair shared an embrace that captured the essence of their stand.

From the moment Gaikwad came to the crease amid an early stutter, he slipped seamlessly into rhythm. He allowed the ball to reach him, stroked it with control, and once settled, showcased a full arsenal, sharp pulls against pace, eye-pleasing inside-out strokes to the spinners, sweeps, and confident charges down the track.

Whenever South Africa threatened to tighten the scoring, Gaikwad found a release shot, restoring the momentum with well-timed boundaries. His hundred ended up being the second-fastest by an Indian against South Africa, surpassed only by Yusuf Pathan’s 68-ball effort. Gaikwad eventually departed for an impressive 105 off 83, attempting to accelerate further.

Virat Kohli headlines IND vs SA 2nd ODI with his second consecutive ton of the series

At the other end, Virat Kohli was busy crafting another classic in his favoured format. The former skipper weathered the early pressure with trademark composure, playing under his eyes and refusing to take unnecessary chances. Gradually, the innings gathered shape, gaps appeared through cover and mid-wicket, and his impeccable running turned singles into doubles, steadily stretching the fielding side’s limits and testing every fielder’s urgency.

The ton scored in Raipur marked Kohli's second consecutive ton in the India vs South Africa series, following the sublime 135 off 120 in the Ranchi ODI. Making full use of his form, the Indian veteran notched his 53rd ODI century and the 84th of his international career. Kohli reached the milestone with soft hands, guiding Marco Jansen past long-on for a simple single, bringing up the landmark off 90 balls.

Remarkably, this was the 11th instance of the modern-day legend scoring centuries in back-to-back innings. Coming amid the chaotic speculations about his future in the format, the knock, a testament to Kohli's consistent mastery, will undoubtedly silence the chatter around his place and strengthen his claim for a spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. His innings ended on 102 off 93 deliveries, falling to Lungi Ngidi in the 40th over. With another impactful knock from interim leader KL Rahul, the hosts posted an above-par total of 358 for the Proteas.