• Ruturaj Gaikwad's resilient and stylish century anchored India A's thrilling chase to victory against South Africa A.

  • India A secured a tense three-wicket win over South Africa A in the series opener.

Fans go gaga as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s classy century guides India A to thrilling win over South Africa A
Ruturaj Gaikwad classy century guides India A to thrilling three-wicket win against South Africa A (Image source: X)

India A started the South Africa A tour with a memorable win in the 1st unofficial ODI at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, on November 13, 2025, clinching victory by three wickets in a riveting contest powered by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s stunning century. The much-anticipated IND-A vs SA-A opener showcased emerging stars and tested nerves under lights, leaving fans ecstatic with a thrilling chase right down to the final over.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s masterclass century anchors India A in the chase

After South Africa A posted a strong total of 285 for 9, India A faced a challenging ask, needing 286 from 50 overs. The chase began positively, with Abhishek Sharma’s brisk 31 off 25 balls giving momentum before Bjorn Fortuin struck to remove him early. From the pressure of 64 for 1, Gaikwad took charge, displaying his trademark composure and timing.

Gaikwad’s knock was a blend of finesse and responsibility—he weathered disciplined spells from Fortuin and Tiaan van Vuuren, rotated strike smartly, and punished loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Despite wickets falling around him, including Riyan Parag for 8 and captain Tilak Varma for 39, Gaikwad held the innings together. Reaching his century in 121 balls, he accelerated when required, finishing with a remarkable 117 off 129 balls, highlighted by 12 boundaries.

His partnership with Tilak steadied nerves in the middle overs, and crucial contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy (37 off 26) and Nishant Sindhu (29 not out off 26) kept the asking rate in check. India A’s innings saw regular wickets, including the crucial moment when van Vuuren dismissed Gaikwad at 219 in the 41st over, giving South Africa A a glimmer of hope.

Last-over drama as India A clinch series opener against South Arica A

With Gaikwad gone and the required rate climbing, South Africa A intensified their fielding and bowling, with Ottneil Baartman and Fortuin extracting movement and keeping the lower order in check. After Reddy fell at 284 with six needed from five balls, pressure peaked—yet Sindhu and Harshit Rana kept their cool. Sindhu’s vital runs off the penultimate over and Rana’s composed finish sealed the win with three balls to spare.

Earlier, South Africa A had rallied from 16 for 4, thanks to a resilient 90 from Delano Potgieter and a brisk 77 from Dian Forrester. Fortuin chipped in with a key 59, boosting their total despite incisive spells from Arshdeep Singh (2/59), Rana (2/49), and Prasidh Krishna (1/57). Their late fightback set up a challenging total, but India A’s top order and lower-middle grit outshone the effort.

Gaikwad’s heroic century earned him Player of the Match, and fans on social media erupted, lauding his leadership and extraordinary temperament in crunch moments. The clash set the tone for a gripping series, with India A taking a 1-0 lead riding on Gaikwad’s brilliance and a nerveless team performance in Rajkot.

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Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .