Raipur: Virat Kohli’s successive hundred, maiden century from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), and KL Rahul’s quickfire 66 not out propelled India to a formidable 358 for five against South Africa in the second ODI here on Wednesday.
Kohli (102 off 93 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s) and Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, 12x4s, 2x6s) reset the record for the highest third-wicket stand for India in ODIs against South Africa as their 195-run association built the platform for the hosts to launch themselves into a big score.
And Rahul’s (66 not out off 43 balls, 6x4s, 2x6s) second fifty in a row ensured that, even as India continued to tinker with their batting line-up with the stand-in skipper coming in at No 5 ahead of Washington Sundar, who endured another failure.
Rohit Sharma (14) fell to one angling away from his body as Nandre Burger found an outside edge. This was after the Indian opener hit three consecutive fours earlier in the fifth over.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) made a promising start, hitting a couple of fours and a six, but fell to a left-armer again with Jansen’s knack of producing extra bounce, inducing a mishit from the Indian opener.
Nevertheless, two wickets inside the powerplay did not trouble India, with the in-form Kohli joining forces with Gaikwad who had a point to prove.
Unlike at Ranchi, where he did not look accustomed to batting in the middle order, Gaikwad emerged as a perfect foil for Kohli as the two began racking up runs with ease.
With Ajinkya Rahane in tow, Kohli had put on 189 at Durban in February 2018 but perhaps on some counts, this partnership with Gaikwad was the one he may have enjoyed a little more as the Maharashtra batter matched his style of play.
The rotation of strike was deft, the singles were seamlessly converted into doubles and at times it was difficult for one to distinguish who had pierced the gap for those runs — not necessarily boundaries — as Gaikwad even appeared to be matching Kohli in terms of stroke-play.
If he was roughed up at the start, Gaikwad grew in confidence to post a fine half-century. Once past the milestone, he picked up pace.
Keshav Maharaj was hit over long on for a six and two fours in the 28th over before Gaikwad reached triple figures in the 34th over.
Off the blocks with a perfect pull shot which sent the ball sailing over the ropes, it was yet another day in the office for Kohli, who did not put a foot wrong on the way to a record-extending 53rd ODI ton.
