Kohli & Gaikwad’s Record 195-Run Stand Stuns SA in Raipur

In the electric atmosphere of the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, a new chapter in Indian cricket history was written on December 3, 2025. With the scoreboard reading a precarious 62 for 2, the stage was set for a rescue act. What followed was nothing short of a masterclass, as Kohli Gaikwad record partnership not only saved the innings but catapulted India to a commanding total.

Table of Contents

• The Historic 195-Run Stand
• Gaikwad’s Long-Awaited Maiden ODI Century
• Kohli Extends His Legendary Legacy
• Shattering the Previous Record
• The Impact on the 2nd ODI
• Conclusion: A Partnership for the Ages
• Sources

The Historic 195-Run Stand

Facing a tough South African bowling attack, India found themselves in a spot of bother early on, losing both openers cheaply. Enter Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. What they produced was a display of calculated aggression and flawless technique. The duo added a staggering 195 runs for the third wicket, a partnership that completely turned the game on its head .

This wasn’t just a big partnership; it was a record-breaking one. Their 195-run stand is now the highest partnership for India against South Africa in ODI history, a monumental achievement that speaks volumes about their synergy at the crease .

Gaikwad’s Long-Awaited Maiden ODI Century

For Ruturaj Gaikwad, this innings was the culmination of immense promise. Known for his elegance in the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings, the pressure of the international stage had been mounting for his first big knock. He answered the call in the most emphatic fashion possible.

Gaikwad played a scintillating innings, racing to his maiden ODI century off just 83 balls, an innings studded with boundaries and powerful sixes. His 105 was a statement of intent, proving he belongs at the highest level . This breakthrough century is a career-defining moment for the young batter.

Kohli Extends His Legendary Legacy

While Gaikwad grabbed headlines for his maiden ton, the maestro, Virat Kohli, was scripting his own piece of history. In a display of his trademark consistency, Kohli notched up his 53rd century in One Day Internationals, scoring a brilliant 102 from 93 deliveries .

This century was significant for multiple reasons. It was his seventh against South Africa, the most by any batter against them in ODIs . Furthermore, the Raipur venue became the 34th different ground where Kohli has scored an ODI century, a testament to his unparalleled ability to perform anywhere in the world . His 53rd ODI ton also marked his 84th international century across all formats .

Shattering the Previous Record

Their monumental effort didn’t just set a new mark for India against SA; it broke a 15-year-old record that many thought would stand for a long time. The previous highest partnership for India against South Africa was a 194-run stand between the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik, set in Gwalior in February 2010 .

Kohli and Gaikwad surpassed that by a single run, etching their names alongside the greats in the record books. While that historic stand was for the second wicket, the new record was forged for the third wicket, showcasing a different kind of resilience after early setbacks .

The Impact on the 2nd ODI

The partnership was the absolute backbone of India’s innings. After they were parted, with Gaikwad falling at 257 and Kohli soon after at 284, India was already in a strong position . The platform they built allowed the lower order, led by KL Rahul’s unbeaten innings, to push India to a formidable total of 358/5 in their 50 overs .

This massive total proved too much for the South African side, who were eventually bowled out, handing India a crucial victory in the series. Their 195-run stand was not just a statistical marvel; it was the decisive factor that won the match.

Conclusion: A Partnership for the Ages

The Kohli Gaikwad record partnership in Raipur was a perfect blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned genius. It answered questions about Gaikwad’s potential at the top level and further cemented Kohli’s status as one of the all-time greats. For fans of Indian cricket, it was a reminder of the sport’s magic—the ability to create history from adversity. This 195-run stand will be remembered not just for the runs it yielded, but for the hope and excitement it injected into the team’s future.

You can find more insights on legendary batting pairs in ODI history on the official ESPNcricinfo statistics pages.

[INTERNAL_LINK:india-vs-south-africa-series-preview] | [INTERNAL_LINK:virat-kohli-career-stats] | [INTERNAL_LINK:young-indian-batters-to-watch]

Sources

• Times of India: “IND vs SA: Kohli, Gaikwad set new record during 2nd ODI in Raipur”
• “Kohli (102, 93 balls) and Gaikwad (105, 83b) added a record 195 runs for the third wicket…”
• “Their partnership broke the previous record of 194 runs set by Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik in February 2010…”
• “Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century against South Africa in the second ODI at Raipur on Wednesday (December 3). He made 105 runs off 83 balls”
• “Virat Kohli scored his 53rd ODI century in the 2nd ODI against South Africa on Wednesday (December 3) in Raipur.”
• “Fall of wickets: … 3-257 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 35.4 ov), 4-284 (Virat Kohli, 39.1 ov)…”
• “Brief Scores: India 358/5 in 50 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, Virat Kohli 102, KL Rahul 66*; Marco Jansen 2/63)…”