IND vs SA 2nd ODI: ‘Great comeback’ - Internet can't keep calm after Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden international hundred

Ruturaj Gaikwad sent the netizens into jubilation after the Maharashtra batter announced his return in international cricket with a maiden hundred for India on Wednesday during the second ODI against South Africa at the SVNSIS in Raipur. He had scored just eight runs in the first ODI.

Slotted into the squad after a string of strong domestic performances and the unavailability of players like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer due to injuries, Gaikwad grabbed the opportunity with both hands to complete his first-ever international century in just 77 balls.

Coming into bat at no.4, the right-hander looked in complete ease as he raced to 30-odd runs in just 26 balls. With the talismanic Virat Kohli at the other end, Gaikwad flourished under the guidance of the former India captain. He reached his three figures in the 34th over with a boundary off all-rounder Corbin Bosch.

In the process, Gaikwad recorded the second-fastest ODI ton for India against South Africa behind Yusuf Pathan, who got there in 68 balls in Centurion in 2011. Along with Kohli, Gaikwad forged a partnership of 195 runs in just 156 balls for the third wicket.

Why is Ruturaj Gaikwad's return special?

Gaikwad made his ODI debut in 2022 against South Africa in Lucknow. After his debut, Gaikwad was given the opportunity five more times in 2023, scoring just a single half-century against Australia.

Since then, calls for Gaikwad's inclusion in the Indian team were raised on numerous occasions following his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in the domestic circuit for Maharashtra.

Before the ODI series against South Africa, Gaikwad had scored three hundreds (184 for West Zone, 116 for Maharashtra and 117 for India A) and same number of half centuries (91 & 55 not out for Maharashtra and 68 not out for India A).

With no clear update on Iyer and Gill's return, this is a bigger opportunity for Gaikwad to try and cement his place in the Indian team, considering the 2027 World Cup, which is just one and a half years away.

Dream to bat with Virat Kohli: Ruturaj Gaikwad

Batting with Kohli helped Gaikwad a lot, something which the right-hander admitted. “Obviously, a dream to bat with him and have a wonderful partnership. He helped me a lot throughout the middle about how to access gaps and how you can adjust your technique and score some runs by playing less dot balls. So definitely very helpful and good learning for me,” added Gaikwad on his experience of batting with Kohli.