Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that Virat Kohli’s second consecutive century during the second ODI against South Africa felt “inevitable” as the veteran got off to a six with the confidence of his first-game heroics.
Despite India’s four-wicket defeat, Kohli scored 102 from 93 balls in Raipur on Wednesday, his 84th international century and 53rd century in the 50-over format. In the first game in Ranchi on November 30, India won by 17 runs thanks to his 135 from 120 deliveries.
“To be honest, at no point did it look like he wasn’t going to get a hundred. From the first ball he faced, it felt as if he was carrying on from Ranchi,” JioStar expert Gavaskar said.
“He got off the mark with a hook for six, a shot he doesn’t often play in the air, which showed the confidence from his previous hundred. After that, unless something unfortunate happened, the hundred always seemed inevitable.”
With an incredible 195-run partnership, Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls) rewrote the record for India’s best third-wicket stand in ODIs.
“The partnership with Ruturaj was excellent. Ruturaj’s first ball was a tough bouncer from Jansen, coming right after he had dismissed Jaiswal. He managed to put it away for four, and you could immediately see Kohli go down the pitch to comfort him.
“Ruturaj would’ve been nervous after getting out to a brilliant catch earlier, and whatever Kohli told him clearly lifted him; the next ball he played very confidently off the front foot,” said the legendary batter.
After a nervous start, Gavaskar praised Kohli for guiding Gaikwad.
“Sometimes, it’s not just about your own runs; it’s about how you help your partner. Their running between the wickets, the communication, it was wonderful to see a senior player guiding a younger one at such an important stage,” Gavaskar said.
Given the dew effect, South Africa put the hosts to bat, after the Indians lost their 20th straight toss. With four balls remaining, the Proteas chased 358 to level the three-match series 1-1.
“It (toss) was crucial. Just look at how wet the outfield was. Apart from perhaps the first half-dozen overs, the ball was always going to get wet. That affects not just the bowlers but the fielders too, you can’t get a proper grip. The ball feels like a bar of soap. So yes, the toss made a big difference,” Gavaskar said.
Leading South Africa’s response against India, Aiden Markram maximized a level deck under lights with a dominant century.
“I rate that innings very, very highly. Whenever you’re chasing 350-plus, there is always pressure. You want to give the team a good start, not a quiet one, and keep the asking rate under control. The rate was just over seven when they began,” said Gavaskar.
“With his experience of playing in India, in the IPL and otherwise, he understands the conditions well. He took that responsibility on himself.”
“In the previous match he captained because Bavuma wasn’t fit; in Raipur, he did the stabilising job alongside the skipper. That’s exactly what South Africa needed at that stage.”
