• Virat Kohli smashed his 53rd ODI century off 90 balls in Raipur's 2nd ODI.

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad notched his maiden ODI ton (105 off 83) alongside Kohli's back-to-back hundred.

Fans go berserk as Virat Kohli hammers his 53rd ODI century against South Africa in Raipur
Virat Kohli hammers his 53rd ODI century against South Africa in Raipur (Image source: X)

India dominated South Africa in the 2nd ODI at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on December 3, 2025, progressing towards a big total after the Proteas won the toss and elected to field. Virat Kohli smashed his 53rd ODI century—102 off 93 balls with seven fours and two sixes—marking back-to-back hundreds following his 135 in the Ranchi opener, silencing critics and propelling India to a commanding position in the series. Ruturaj Gaikwad also celebrated his maiden ODI ton, scoring 105 off 83 balls (12 fours, two sixes), as the duo forged a match-defining 195-run third-wicket stand that broke South African spirits.​

Virat Kohli lights up the 2nd ODI with successive centuries

Kohli produced another batting clinic, smashing his 53rd ODI century—his second consecutively against South Africa—off 90 balls with seven fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 109.67, silencing critics and pushing his international ton tally to 84. After early jolts with Rohit Sharma falling for 14 in 4.5 overs and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 22 in 9.4 overs, leaving India at 62/2 in the powerplay (66/2), Kohli steadied the ship alongside Gaikwad.

Their third-wicket stand ballooned to 195 runs—the highest for India against South Africa in ODIs—propelling India to 100 in 15.3 overs and 150 in 23.4 overs. Kohli reached fifty off 47 balls, accelerating past 200 runs in 29.5 overs, before his dismissal at 284/4 in 39.1 overs by Lungi Ngidi, caught by Aiden Markram. Fans went berserk, chanting his name as the 37-year-old raised his helmet in triumph, extending his record of back-to-back centuries.​

Also WATCH: Virat Kohli lights up Raipur with a glorious six during IND vs SA 2nd ODI

Here’s how fans reacted:

Kohli- Ruturatj Gaikwad onslaught buries Proteas attack

The third-wicket pair accelerated post-drinks, crossing 150 in 127 balls as India hit 200 by 29.5 overs, with Gaikwad’s boundaries dismantling Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch. Gaikwad’s blistering 100 came off 77 balls via a pulled four off Bosch, followed swiftly by Kohli’s landmark single off Lungi Ngidi in 90 deliveries—his eighth ton against South Africa. The stand ended at 257 when Gaikwad fell to Marco Jansen.​ This 195-run alliance surpassed Sachin Tendulkar–Dinesh Karthik‘s 194 vs South Africa, India’s highest against them. South Africa, trailing 0-1 after Ranchi’s 17-run loss.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Ruturaj Gaikwad slams maiden century in IND vs SA 2nd ODI at Raipur

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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 .