IND vs SA: 'Wonderful to see a senior guiding' - Sunil Gavaskar lauds Virat Kohli for mentoring Ruturaj Gaikwad

Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar analyzed Virat Kohli's century in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, highlighting his seamless continuation of form from the previous match in Ranchi. Despite their centuries, India lost the match to South Africa who leveled the series with a four-wicket victory, with Gavaskar noting how the toss played a crucial role due to wet conditions.

Kohli secured his 84th international century and 53rd ODI hundred, building on his previous performance where he scored 135 runs off 120 balls in Ranchi.



"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. 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," Gavaskar commented on JioStar.

Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad formed a substantial 195-run partnership for the third wicket, with Gaikwad achieving his first ODI century.

"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," Gavaskar said.

Gaikwad acknowledged Kohli's guidance during their partnership, describing it as a dream to bat alongside him.

"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 observed.

Despite the impressive batting performances, South Africa secured a series-leveling victory.

Gavaskar emphasized the significance of the toss in determining the match outcome. "It 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. Even when you try for a strong return to effect a run-out, it slips out of your hand.

"That's why if you win the toss in Indian conditions, you always want to bowl first, so you don't have to deal with a wet ball when defending. So yes, the toss made a big difference," Gavaskar concluded.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here