A classy and composed century from Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India post a strong total in the 1st ODI against South Africa, marking one of his finest innings in international cricket. The stylish right-hander showed maturity, timing, and confidence throughout his knock, anchoring India’s batting with full control.
The opening ODI of the India vs South Africa 2025 series turned into a memorable day for Indian fans as Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed a sensational century (100 off 77 balls). His innings came at a crucial time when India needed stability and acceleration together — and Gaikwad delivered exactly that.
Playing with calmness and sharp cricketing awareness, Ruturaj paced his innings beautifully. He mixed risk-free cricket with timely aggression, proving why he is one of India’s most reliable modern ODI batters.
How Ruturaj Built His Innings
Gaikwad walked in early and took his time to settle, especially after two quick wickets. Once set, he shifted gears smoothly.
Key Highlights of the Knock
- Reached his fifty with controlled batting
- Accelerated strongly after the 25th over
- Played elegant drives, lofted sixes, and smart rotations
- Built a match-turning partnership with Virat Kohli
His partnerships played a key role in India’s total.
Match-Changing Partnership with Virat Kohli
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli stitched a massive stand that completely shifted the momentum in India’s favour.
Big Partnership Summary
| Batters | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad & Virat Kohli | 186 | 145 | 19 | 4 | Dominated SA bowlers |
The pair rotated strike beautifully, punished loose deliveries, and kept South Africa searching for breakthroughs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 1st ODI Century – Full Batting Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 100 |
| Balls | 77 |
| Strike Rate | 129+ |
| 4s | 12 |
| 6s | 2 |
| Milestone | First ODI Century |
| Role | Stabilised innings & accelerated strongly |
This knock stands out because it showcased both patience and power — a rare balance that defines top-class ODI batting.
Why This Century Is Special
- First ODI century
- Came under pressure
- Formed the biggest partnership of the match
- Helped India reach a competitive total
- Showed his growth as a dependable top-order batsman
For a player who has often been praised for his timing and elegance, this innings was the perfect example of how good Ruturaj can be in the 50-over format.
Read more: Rohit Sharma Century List in All Formats
Impact on the Series
Ruturaj’s century has tilted the early momentum in India’s favour.
His form at the top also gives India tremendous confidence as they prepare for the remaining matches.
With this knock, Gaikwad has announced himself as a serious ODI prospect who can carry India’s batting forward.
Like to know? India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records in Test, ODI & T20I
Conclusion
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 100 off 77 balls in the 1st ODI was not just a milestone — it was a statement.
A statement of class, maturity, and readiness to take responsibility at the highest level. His partnership with Virat Kohli became the defining moment of the match and played a major role in shaping India’s innings.
Fans will be eager to see how he continues this form in the rest of the series.
