Raipur witnessed a remarkable innings from Ruturaj Gaikwad as he registered his maiden One Day International century. His aggressive 105 off 83 balls, featuring 12 boundaries and 2 sixes, was a highlight as India amassed a total of 358 runs. However, the celebration was short-lived as South Africa mounted an extraordinary chase, securing a victory that leveled the three-match series. This unfortunate result continues a curious statistical pattern surrounding Gaikwad’s centuries. Across all major formats, including T20 Internationals and the Indian Premier League, his centuries have consistently been part of losing efforts. His unbeaten 123 in a T20I against Australia and two hundreds for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL are prime examples. While Gaikwad is showcasing his batting prowess with these significant scores, the inability to convert them into wins presents a challenge he’ll be eager to overcome in future matches, especially as he vies for consistent selection.
