Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad greet each other during their third-wicket stand in the 2nd ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 3, 2025 | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
Kohli (102, 93 balls) and Gaikwad (105, 83b) added a record 195 runs for the third wicket as India recovered well from 62 for two.
It was Kohli’s second hundred in as many matches after going past the three digits in the first game at Ranchi on Sunday (November 30, 2025). Kohli’s magnificent hundred in the second ODI helped India cross the 250-run mark. He stitched a superb 195-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 28-year-old Gaikwad also slammed his maiden century in ODI cricket. The right-handed batter was dismissed for 105 runs off 83 deliveries, including 12 fours and two sixes.
The third wicket stand was also India’s highest against South Africa for any wicket in ODIs.
South Africa’s struggles on an easy-paced pitch was deepened once pacer Nandre Burger had to walk off the field in his seventh over, owing to an ankle niggle.
Marco Jansen was SA’s most successful bowler (2/63) as he employed short-pitched balls to good effect.
KL Rahul (66 not out) gave a late boost to India’s innings with a well-measured second successive fifty in this series.
Brief scores:
India 358/5 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 102, Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, KL Rahul 66 not out; Marco Jansen 2/63)
Published – December 03, 2025 02:19 pm IST









