Ruturaj Gaikwad Scores Maiden ODI Century Against South Africa

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Impressive ODI Debut

Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first One Day International (ODI) century against South Africa in the second ODI match. The right-handed batsman played a remarkable innings of 105 runs, contributing to India's formidable total of 358 runs. Despite this effort, India faced a setback, losing the match by four wickets in the final over.

During the post-match presentation, Gaikwad expressed that this century holds special significance for him, especially considering the challenge of batting at number four. He stated, "Batting at number four is a challenge for me."

Insights into Gaikwad's Batting Approach

Gaikwad also shared insights into his batting strategy. He mentioned that in the ODI format, he aims to bat through to the 40-45 overs, capitalizing on the latter stages of the innings. "I understand how to play from the 11th to the 40th over, how to rotate the strike, and find boundary options. It’s crucial to play the first 10-15 balls well and maintain that approach. Whenever I settle in, I try to extend the innings," he added.

Reflecting on his performance in the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gaikwad admitted he struggled and had many thoughts on his mind. He set a goal for himself this year to maintain consistency in his runs, whether in club cricket or in white or red ball formats. He mentioned, "If I get the opportunity, that’s great; if not, that’s fine too."

Support from Management

Gaikwad revealed that the management has been supportive of him batting at number four. He stated, "I was informed that I would be batting at number four in this series, and I was encouraged to enjoy my game. I feel fortunate to have such trust from the management in a top-order batsman batting at number four. I hope to perform well in the final match as well. The coach advised me to enjoy the game and play my natural style."