Ruturaj Gaikwad Rises to No. 4 Challenge With Career-Best Century

New Delhi: Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a commanding statement in the second ODI against South Africa by scoring his maiden century while adapting to the unfamiliar No. 4 position. The move came after Shreyas Iyer was sidelined due to injury, prompting the team management to hand Gaikwad a crucial middle-order role. Although his first outing at the position did not yield much, he responded decisively in the next match with a polished hundred that highlighted both technique and temperament.
Gaikwad acknowledged the trust placed in him and viewed the opportunity as a responsibility rather than pressure. The transition from opening to batting deeper in the innings did not faze him, and he credited his experience in the fifty-over format for helping him settle into the role. His approach centered on pacing his innings, reducing dot balls and building partnerships, principles that remained consistent whether he opened or batted in the middle.
His century, an impressive 105 off 83 balls, featured 12 boundaries and two clean strikes over the ropes. The innings was built through a superb 195-run partnership with Virat Kohli, whose guidance and communication played a significant part in maintaining rhythm. Their running between the wickets and controlled acceleration gave India a strong foundation, pushing the team to a total of 358 for 5.
Reflecting on his recent challenges, including recovering from injury and leadership changes at his IPL franchise, Gaikwad focused on staying present and preparing thoroughly for every opportunity. He emphasised that consistency remained his primary aim regardless of the format or position he played. For him, contributing to the team’s plans mattered more than external expectations.
The Raipur century marked a significant milestone in his career, not only for its quality but also for the adaptability he displayed. Gaikwad said the experience of batting with Kohli sharpened his decision-making and helped him maintain the desired scoring rate throughout their stand. His calm presence at No. 4 has added a valuable dimension to India’s batting depth, reinforcing his potential as a dependable middle-order option in the future.