Is Ruturaj Gaikwad Cursed When He Scores a Century?

ByAnupam Pandey,SportsCafe Editor

Today at 4:34 PM

Ruturaj Gaikwad had a great moment in the second ODI match against South Africa. What was expected to be a great game for him turned into a nightmare, as India went on to lose the game by 4 wickets. This has now added up to another century by Gaikwad which has gone to a losing cause.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has now been on the headlines for his prolific performances against South Africa. Gaikwad made his ODI comeback to the Indian team after almost two years. The first ODI didn't go well for him, but he made sure to use the number four spot well while batting for the team in the second ODI.

And eventually, he was able to do it, as Gaikwad brought up his maiden ODI century. His century came in just 77 balls, and he made his mark to the team. Even though he came as a replacement for injured Shreyas Iyer, he has been able to prove himself. But his century has come in a losing cause for the Indian team. Not only his maiden ODI century, all the tons scored by Gaikwad in IPL and international have ended in a losing cause.

1. CSK vs RR: IPL 2021

Ruturaj Gaikwad brought up his first ever century in the Indian Premier League during the 2021 edition. This was also the season when CSK had won its fourth title, and Gaikwad also won the Orange Cap award. In the match against Rajasthan Royals, he was able to bring up a ton for the team while they were batting first.

Opening with Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 101 runs off 60 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes. It was a fine moment for Gaikwad, as the team scored 189 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. But the bowlers didn't let Gaikwad have his century in a winning cause.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

With Rajasthan Royals coming out to chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal gave them a quick start with 50 runs off 21 balls. Shivam Dube further went on to score 64 runs for the team, which helped Rajasthan Royals to chase down the target with 7 wickets remaining. Still, Gaikwad was able to receive the Player of the Match award.

2. India vs Australia, 3rd T20I: 2023

Ruturaj Gaikwad brought up his next century in the international against Australia. He was playing in the Indian team against Australia in the three-match T20I series, and was thought to give his best in the final game. India was batting first in this match, and Ruturaj Gaikwad was slotted to open for the team along with Ishan Kishan.

While the Indian team lost quick wickets from one end, Gaikwad stood steady at the other end. He went on to score 123 runs off 57 balls with 13 fours and 7 sixes, which helped India to reach a total of 222 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. The target was near to impossible for Australia to chase, but it was Gaikwad who had scored a century.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

Australia stood at the score of 68/3, when Glenn Maxwell decided to take the charge. He powered the Australian team to chase down this mammoth total, as Maxwell scored 104 runs off 48 balls with 8 fours and 8 sixes. This helped Australia to chase the total with 5 wickets and no balls remaining.

3. CSK vs LSG: IPL 2024

Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants faced each other in IPL 2024, with Chennai taking the home ground advantage. And this time, Gaikwad went on to score his second IPL century. Chennai was batting first in this game and Gaikwad took the opportunity to score a century. He scored 108 runs off 60 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes, as CSK scored 210/4.

Gaikwad took the opportunity to score a century.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

Lucknow Super Giants also had a tough start to the game, as they stood at the score of 33/2. But Marcus Stoinis regained his form and went on to score 124 runs off 63 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes. Lucknow Super Giants went on to chase the target with 6 wickets to spare, as Gaikwad's century ended up again in a losing cause.

4. India vs South Africa, 2nd ODI: 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad made his comeback to the ODI side and batted at number four, a spot lower than usual. In this game also, India was sent to bat first and Gaikwad decided to dominate the South African bowling line-up in this game. Virat Kohli scored 102 runs, as in just 77 balls.

With Gaikwad being India's top run scorer, India was able to score 358 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. This target would also look as impossible to chase, but South Africa made a wise decision to send India to bat first. They knew about the dew factor, which would eventually help them to chase the target.

Aiden Markram was able to score a century, which was also his 4th in ODI format. Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis also smashed half-centuries, as South Africa was able to complete the chase with 4 wickets and 4 balls remaining. This meant that which have been scored by Gaikwad ended up in a losing cause.