"You could see it lifted him" - Indian legend on Virat Kohli's role in Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden ton in IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has credited Virat Kohli for Ruturaj Gaikwad's outstanding knock of 105 in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. Gavaskar believes Kohli's words had a significant impact on the 28-year-old, given he looked a lot more confident from the outset.

With Shreyas Iyer currently unavailable due to recovering from a rib injury, the Pune-born cricketer had batted at number four. Although he managed a single-figure score in the series-opener in Ranchi, Gaikwad made the opportunity count on Wednesday in Raipur, scoring a 77-ball ton. He built a 195-run stand with Kohli to set the foundation for a total of 358/5 in 50 overs.

Speaking during the post-match show on Jio Hotstar, Gavaskar reckoned that the youngster would've been nervous in his first game at number four but observed how the senior player in Kohli stepped up to guide his teammate. He elaborated, as quoted by India Today:

"Ruturaj would have been nervous in his first match. He looked good earlier, and Brevis took a brilliant catch to dismiss him. Sometimes you start wondering if you’re not getting the slice of luck you need. Whatever Kohli told him, you could see it lifted him. Next ball, he played with so much confidence, right from the front foot. Sometimes it’s not just about what you score yourself; it’s also about how you help your partner score. That is crucial. Their running between the wickets was excellent too. For me, it was really nice to watch how a senior, experienced player was guiding and shepherding a young one."

With Gaikwad scoring a ton at number four, the right-hander has put himself in the reckoning for a regular place in the ODI side. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the management will fit him in after Iyer and Shubman Gill return.

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"The bouncer surprised him" - Sunil Gavaskar on Marco Jansen's delivery to Ruturaj Gaikwad

Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image Credits: Getty)

Gavaskar also stated that Marco Jansen was on fire, having bounced out Yashasvi Jaiswal and that Kohli followed it up with a chat after the left-arm seamer's vicious bouncer to Gaikwad. He added:

"The way he and Ruturaj built that partnership was wonderful. Ruturaj’s first ball was a tough one. The bouncer surprised him, a very good delivery from Jansen. He had dismissed Jaiswal off the previous ball, so he followed it up with another sharp bouncer to Ruturaj, and he somehow managed to get it away for four. After that, you could see Kohli immediately walk down the pitch to comfort him."

Although both Gaikwad and Kohli scored centuries, Aiden Markram's 110 triumphed them as South Africa levelled the three-game series with a 4-wicket win.