
In a thrilling cricketing saga, Ruturaj Gaikwad recently showcased his talent with an impressive century against South Africa, yet it marked only one chapter in his battle with renowned player Virat Kohli. The two players are drawing comparisons as their journeys unfold in the ODI format. Here’s a thorough comparison of their performances after their first eight ODIs.
On December 3, Gaikwad scored a brilliant 105 runs off just 83 balls at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, propelling India to a formidable total of 358. However, despite his strong performance, India fell short as South Africa managed to chase down the target, winning by four wickets.
Both players have made a mark in their earlier matches, presenting a fascinating nature of their skills and strengths. Below is a comparison of their batting stats after eight ODIs:
| Player | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50+ Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 228 | 28.50 | 89.76 | 2 (1 century, 1 fifty) |
| Virat Kohli | 177 | 29.50 | 66.79 | 1 (1 fifty) |
Gaikwad’s average of 28.50 has a promising potential with two 50-plus scores, including a century against South Africa. In contrast, Kohli’s aforementioned average stands a tad higher with only one 50-plus score, showcasing different stages in their careers after eight matches.
Evaluating how both have performed in victories and losses adds a deeper layer to their comparison. Here’s how they fared in winning and losing matches:
| Player | In Wins | In Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Runs: 100, Avg: 20, SR: 78.74 | Runs: 128, Avg: 42.66, SR: 100.78 |
| Virat Kohli | Runs: 118, Avg: 39.33, SR: 68.20 | Runs: 59, Avg: 19.66, SR: 64.13 |
Remarkably, Gaikwad’s performance in losing causes demonstrates resilience, scoring significantly higher than in victories, unlike Kohli who seems to perform better when India wins.
A critical aspect of their gameplay is performance in different match scenarios. The stats below summarize their respective performances while chasing and setting targets:
| Player | Chases | Batting First |
|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Runs: 95, Avg: 31.66, SR: 73.64 | Runs: 133, Avg: 26.60, SR: 106.40 |
| Virat Kohli | Runs: 84, Avg: 28, SR: 61.31 | Runs: 93, Avg: 31, SR: 72.65 |
Gaikwad has shown greater success in chases compared to setting totals, a potential learning point for him moving forward. Kohli, on the other hand, has balanced performances across both situations.
While Kohli’s legacy is firmly established, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s emerging stats showcase the potential for a new star. His adaptability and recent performances indicate that the cricketing world should closely watch his journey. As Gaikwad continues to develop his game, the rivalry between him and Kohli promises to be one of the most captivating narratives in cricket history.






