Ruturaj Gaikwad's Maiden ODI Century: A Testament to Hard Work and Technique

Ruturaj Gaikwad's journey to his first ODI century is a remarkable story of perseverance and skill. Former cricketer Mohammed Kaif commends Gaikwad's technique and adaptability, highlighting his consistent performance in domestic cricket. After a long wait, Gaikwad's hard work has paid off, allowing him to shine alongside legends like Virat Kohli. With impressive statistics across formats, Gaikwad is poised for a bright future in cricket. Read on to learn more about his achievements and what lies ahead for this talented player.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 01:51 IST

Celebrating Ruturaj Gaikwad's ODI Milestone

New Delhi, December 3: Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif praised Ruturaj Gaikwad for achieving his first ODI century, emphasizing the dedication he has shown in domestic cricket. Kaif believes that Gaikwad's exceptional technique positions him for success across all formats of the game.

After a rigorous stint in domestic cricket and being named 'Player of the Series' in the India A series against South Africa A, Ruturaj made a strong comeback to the ODI squad. He overcame a disappointing outing in Ranchi to score his maiden ODI century, forming a remarkable 195-run partnership with the legendary Virat Kohli during the ODI in Raipur on Wednesday.

Kaif noted Ruturaj's consistent performance in List A cricket since his debut, where he scored 132 against Himachal Pradesh in 2017. He expressed confidence in Ruturaj's adaptability, stating, 'He can adjust anywhere, despite being an opener.'

'He made his List-A debut eight years ago and has consistently scored runs in domestic cricket. His hundred was well-deserved after a long wait. Although he faced bouncers from Marco Jansen, he remained unfazed. His extensive experience in domestic cricket and the IPL shows he plays on merit and takes calculated risks. A player who handles both fast bowling and spin effectively can thrive in any position,' Kaif shared on his YouTube channel.

Kaif pointed out that while many players are selected for the national team after just a couple of impressive IPL performances, Ruturaj's consistent run-scoring over the past seven to eight years in domestic cricket has finally earned him recognition. He expressed joy at Ruturaj's opportunity and his ability to capitalize on it with a century.

'Gaikwad has the potential to excel in all formats. His game is based on merit, and he possesses a brilliant technique. He remains calm and composed. If you examine his first-class, IPL, and List-A statistics, you'll see he can perform well in every format,' Kaif remarked.

Currently, in eight ODIs, Ruturaj has accumulated 228 runs at an average of 28.50, including a century and a fifty. In 23 T20Is, he has scored 633 runs at an average of 39.56, boasting a strike rate of over 143, with a century and four fifties in 20 innings, his highest being 123*.

In 90 List-A matches, he has amassed 4,547 runs in 87 innings, averaging 56.77, with 17 centuries and 18 fifties, and a top score of 220*.

After last playing ODIs in 2023, Ruturaj faced challenges in regaining his spot due to the emergence of Shubman Gill and the strong presence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the middle order. However, with Gill sidelined due to a neck injury and Shreyas Iyer recovering from a spleen injury, the CSK captain finally has his chance to shine in the final ODI scheduled for Saturday.

Recently, Gaikwad was named 'Player of the Series' in the India A series against South Africa A, scoring 210 runs at an average of 85.00, including a century and a fifty. In his last eight matches leading up to this ODI series, he scored 724 runs at an average of 90.50, featuring three centuries and three fifties, with a best score of 184 for West Zone against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy.