"It is better if I do not think a lot" - Ruturaj Gaikwad's massive statement after hundred in IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Team India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad reflected on getting an opportunity following the second ODI against South Africa. He scored a brilliant hundred, which was also his first-ever in the format.

Ruturaj Gaikwad stated he did not think too much about things. He expressed that it was important for him to focus on the present. The batter reckoned that maintaining consistency and scoring runs was key for him.

"It is better if I do not think a lot. Otherwise you do not stay in the present and cannot focus well on the matches in front of you. In the last VHT I could not score a lot because a lot of things were going on in my mind. But this year I thought no matter what game, even if it is a club game, any format, I will make to stay consistent and score and if I get an opportunity well and good and if not also then its fine. I realised that its my duty to keep scoring runs and if things happen well and good," he said. (via BCCI)

Gaikwad has batted out of position in this series. Being an opener, he has played at number four in both ODIs. He revealed that the message from the management about his role was clear.

"They just told me you will be batting at four in this series and to enjoy my game. I feel it is a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management towards an opener who can bat at four as well. So I took it that way," he added.

The 28-year-old also reckoned that this was his best knock to date because batting at number four was challenging as an opener. The right-hander made 105 off just 83 balls with 12 fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 126.51.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad on batting in ODIs

Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed that batting in the 50-over format needed a lot of experience. He added that it was important to know the conditions, know when to build the innings and when to accelerate.

"In one-day format a lot of experience is required, how to to play the middle overs, you can see Virat bhai doing it for so many years. In situations where we can put the foot on the accelerator, we try and do it. But one-day format is different from T20. You cannot bat in one flow. You have to adapt," he said.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was involved in a stunning partnership with Virat Kohli in the second ODI. The duo added 195 runs off just 156 balls for the third wicket. It was the highest partnership for India in the format against South Africa (for any wicket). Kohli showcased his class once again, scoring his second consecutive hundred, making 102 runs off 93 balls.