Virat Kohli's 53rd century and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden three-figure score were not enough for India on a dewy evening
in Raipur, as South Africa successfully chased 359 in the second ODI to level the three-match series 1-1 on Wednesday, 3
December. India paid the price for poor fielding and an inability to accelerate in the last five overs of their innings,
despite knowing that dew would heavily impact proceedings during the evening chase.
KL Rahul’s disappointment at losing the toss on Wednesday afternoon made more sense when India were struggling to defend
a total of 359, realising they probably did not have enough on the board to truly pressure the Proteas.
IND v SA, 2nd ODI: Highlights | Scorecard
India had successfully defended 349 in the ODI series opener in Ranchi on Sunday, but even 359 was not enough this time.
They needed an above-par total in Raipur, which they could not produce. They also conceded at least 25 extra runs due to
some ordinary fielding and the impact of moisture on the outfield, with even the usually sharp Ravindra Jadeja
struggling to cope with the conditions.
South Africa equalled the record for the highest successful chase by a visiting team in an ODI, matching Australia’s 359
in Mohali in 2019. This was only the second instance of a visiting side chasing more than 350 against India.
While Kohli and Gaikwad thrilled the packed weekday crowd in Raipur with their 195-run partnership—laden with silky
boundaries and brisk running between the wickets—South Africa’s batters flaunted their power-hitting skills and
benefitted from the rub of the green on a dewy evening.
"Not really a tough one to swallow given how much dew there is and how difficult it is to bowl in the second innings.
Thought we did well in the last game. Today the umpires were nice to change the ball. Toss plays a big role so I'm
kicking myself," losing captain KL Rahul said.
He acknowledged that India needed a few extra runs with the bat.
"With the bat, I know that 350 looks good, but that has been the chat in the dressing room even after the last game
about how we can get the extra 20-25 runs to give bowlers a cushion with the wet ball," he said.
South Africa crossed the finish line with four balls to spare, courtesy of Aiden Markram’s 98-ball 110, a blazing
half-century from Dewald Brevis (34-ball 54), and a steady 68 from Matthew Breetzke (64 balls). Together, they helped
South Africa dominate India’s bowling attack and make full use of the conditions at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh
Markram played with considerable authority, striking 10 boundaries and four sixes. The senior South Africa batter
showcased his class, becoming only the fifth visiting South African opener—and the first since 2010—to hit a hundred in
an ODI in India. However, much like Kohli and Gaikwad, he fell soon after reaching three figures, undone by a slower
delivery from Harshit Rana in the 30th over.
India’s bowlers and fielders struggled with the wet ball throughout the latter half of South Africa’s chase. The old
ball had to be changed twice, with Indian bowlers repeatedly informing the umpires that gripping the ball had become
difficult due to excessive moisture.
Brevis and Breetzke added 92 runs in just 69 balls for the fourth wicket, but Brevis fell to Kuldeep Yadav in the 41st
over, giving India a brief window of opportunity.
The inexperience of India’s pace attack—missing the rested Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj—became evident, as Prasidh
Krishna and Harshit Rana were unable to stem the flow of runs. Prasidh endured a difficult evening in Raipur, conceding
Prasidh did, however, pick up the crucial wicket of Breetzke, who missed a fuller-length ball as South Africa slipped
Arshdeep Singh stood out among the pacers, bowling with commendable control and dismissing the in-form Marco Jansen in
There was further trouble for South Africa when Tony de Zorzi, who came out at No. 6, suffered a hamstring injury while
batting on 17. The left-hander attempted to continue but eventually hobbled off the field.
South Africa needed 27 from 30 balls when they were effectively eight down, as de Zorzi could not resume his innings and
No. 11 Nandre Burger had earlier picked up an injury while bowling.
Corbin Bosch, a more-than-handy batter, hit an unbeaten xx, staying calm and composed in the middle and guiding the team
past the finish line in the final over.
INDIA LACK FINISHING FIREPOWER
When South Africa were cruising through the final 10 overs, it became clear that India had left at least 20–30 runs out
on the field. Although Kohli and Gaikwad reached their hundreds, neither was able to kick on and convert them into a
match-defining big score.
In contrast, South Africa benefitted from Brevis and Breetzke maintaining a strong tempo through the middle overs. India
struggled in that phase after losing their two well-set batters before the 40th over.
While stand-in captain KL Rahul fought a lone battle in the death overs with a 43-ball 66, Washington Sundar, batting at
No. 6, managed only one run from eight deliveries. The biggest disappointment with the bat, however, was Ravindra
Jadeja, who made just 24 from 27 balls after walking in at the 50th over.
India and South Africa will now play the decider in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 06.