Ruturaj Gaikwad Shines with Maiden ODI Century Despite India's Loss to South Africa
Gaikwad's Stellar Performance
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad achieved his first ODI century during the second match against South Africa, scoring an impressive 105 runs. Despite his efforts, India fell short, losing by four wickets in a nail-biting finish.
After the match, Gaikwad expressed that this century was his best performance across all formats, particularly highlighting the difficulties of batting at the number four position. "Yes, I consider it my best knock. Batting at number four presents its own challenges," he stated.
Batting Strategy and Consistency
Gaikwad elaborated on his approach to batting, noting, "In ODIs, even when I was an opener, my goal was to bat through to the 40-45 overs and then accelerate. I understand how to manage my innings between the 11th and 40th overs, rotating the strike and identifying boundary opportunities. It’s crucial to play the first 10-15 balls well and stick to my process. Once I settle in, I aim to extend my innings."
Reflecting on his previous performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he admitted to having many thoughts clouding his mind. "This year, I focused on maintaining consistency in my runs, whether in club cricket or different formats. If opportunities arise, great; if not, that’s fine too," he added.
Management's Support
Gaikwad shared his appreciation for the management's trust in him to bat at number four. "I was informed that I would be batting at number four this series and was encouraged to enjoy my game. It’s a privilege to have such confidence from the management, especially as an opener. I hope to perform well in the final match as well. The coach advised me to enjoy the game and play naturally," he remarked.
Match Highlights
In the match, India batted first after being put in by South Africa, initially struggling at 62/2 with the dismissals of Rohit Sharma (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22). However, a remarkable partnership between Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls) and Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls) added 195 runs for the third wicket, putting India in a strong position.
Later, KL Rahul (66* off 43 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (24* off 27 balls) contributed to a swift 69-run partnership for the sixth wicket, helping India reach a total of 358.
In response, South Africa began their chase aggressively but lost Quinton de Kock early. Skipper Temba Bavuma (46 off 48 balls) and Aiden Markram formed a crucial 101-run partnership. Markram went on to score his first ODI century as an opener, finishing with 110 runs off 98 balls.
A pivotal 92-run partnership between Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64 balls) and Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls) shifted the momentum in favor of South Africa. Despite injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj (10*) and Corbin Bosch (25*) guided South Africa to a thrilling victory with four wickets remaining.
For India, Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler with figures of 2/54, while Prasidh Krishna's performance was disappointing, conceding 82 runs in 8.2 overs. An exciting decider is set for Saturday.