Kohli and Gaikwad Hit Centuries to Propel India to 358-5 in Thrilling South Africa ODI

In a thrilling display of batting, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad propelled India to a formidable score of 358-5 against South Africa in the second one-day international (ODI) held in Raipur. This match occurred on December 3, 2025, as India aimed to clinch the series after winning the first match.

Kohli and Gaikwad Shine with Centuries

Virat Kohli, known as “King Kohli” for his exceptional batting form, scored 102 runs, marking his 53rd ODI century. He formed a crucial partnership of 195 runs for the third wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who contributed 105 runs to the innings. This performance was significant for both players, as Gaikwad celebrated his maiden ODI century during the match.

Early Wickets and Strong Partnerships

• Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just 14 runs.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 22 runs, providing a brief start.
• Kohli and Gaikwad stabilized the innings after the early wickets.

Kohli’s aggressive batting began with a six off South African bowler Lungi Ngidi. The duo consistently found boundaries and shifted the momentum in favor of the Indian team. Kohli, in particular, displayed his dominance by reaching the milestone of 84 international centuries across all formats.

Statistics and Highlights

During his innings, Kohli hit seven fours and two sixes off 93 balls. His impressive performance was acknowledged with a standing ovation as he left the field after being dismissed by Ngidi, caught by Aiden Markram.

KL Rahul, leading the team as captain, added to the total with an unbeaten 66 runs. His innings included an explosive finish, scoring 18 runs in the final over.

Next Steps for South Africa

South Africa, having lost the first ODI by 17 runs, now faces the challenge of chasing 359 runs to remain competitive in the series. The match in Raipur attracted a capacity crowd of 60,000, highlighting the significance of this contest.

As the series progresses, fans will be eager to see how South Africa responds to this formidable target set by India.