Ruturaj Gaikwad on His Stunning Century and Kohli Partnership: These Are the Moments You Dream Of

India’s young batting star Ruturaj Gaikwad called his century in the second ODI against South Africa a “dream moment,” crediting his massive partnership with Virat Kohli as one of the most memorable experiences of his international career so far. The duo put on a commanding stand that powered India to an imposing first-innings total and kept the Proteas under pressure throughout the match.

Gaikwad, who has been steadily cementing his place in India’s ODI setup, played with maturity far beyond his experience. His elegant stroke-making blended with calculated risk-taking, helping him reach a sublime century against a quality South African attack. Speaking after the match, Gaikwad said, “You dream of moments like these playing a big knock for India, batting with someone like Virat bhai, and contributing to a strong team total.”

The partnership between Gaikwad and Kohli was the backbone of India’s innings. After the early wicket of the opener, the duo steadied the ship with composure before shifting gears as the ball softened. Gaikwad revealed that Kohli’s guidance was invaluable.

“Batting with Virat bhai is always a learning experience. He keeps things simple, keeps talking to you, keeps you in the present moment. His intensity rubs off on everyone, and it helped me stay focused on building the innings,” Gaikwad said.

The pair rotated strike fluently, rarely letting the South African bowlers settle. Their understanding running hard, picking gaps, and choosing the right bowlers to attack made the partnership appear effortless even as the opposition rotated its quicks and spinners to break the stand.

Gaikwad’s century was a perfect exhibition of modern ODI batting. He began steadily, respecting movement early in the innings, before gradually opening up his scoring avenues. His crisp drives, wristy flicks, and controlled lofted shots frustrated the South African bowlers, who struggled to break his rhythm.

“I just wanted to stay out there and bat long. Once I crossed fifty, I knew I had to convert it because the pitch wasn’t going to get easier later. When I reached the hundred, it was emotional it’s something every player dreams of doing for India,” he recalled.

While Gaikwad anchored, Kohli rotated strike at a high tempo and punished anything loose. His experience was critical in maintaining pressure on the opposition and ensuring India stayed ahead of the scoring rate. Kohli, known for mentoring younger players, constantly encouraged Gaikwad to trust his instincts.

Gaikwad said, “He kept telling me, ‘Back your game. Play your shots when you feel it’s on.’ That really helped.”

Their century stand placed India firmly in control of the match and set the platform for a powerful finish from the middle order. Even though the game eventually took sharp turns later, the foundation laid by Gaikwad and Kohli remained the highlight of India’s innings.

As India looks toward building a strong core for upcoming ICC tournaments, Gaikwad’s knock and his chemistry with senior players like Kohli offer reasons for optimism. For the 27-year-old, the day will remain etched in memory an innings built not just on skill, but on belief, patience, and partnership.