Raipur, 03 December (Sports Desk)
Match Summary In a high-scoring thriller at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur (day-night match), South Africa defeated India by 4 wickets with 4 balls remaining. Batting first after losing the toss, India posted 358/5 in 50 overs, thanks to centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) and Virat Kohli (102), along with an unbeaten 66 from captain KL Rahul. South Africa, in response, rode on Aiden Markram’s brilliant 110, Matthew Breetzke’s 68, and Dewald Brevis’ explosive 54 to reach 362/6 in 49.2 overs. The victory levels the three-match ODI series at 1-1, with the decider set for December 6 in Thiruvananthapuram. Prasidh Krishna (2/85) and Arshdeep Singh (2/54) were India’s leading wicket-takers, but the bowlers struggled on a flat pitch favoring batsmen.
Toss and Team News South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to field first. India fielded an unchanged XI from the first ODI, while South Africa made adjustments, bringing in Nandre Burger and others to strengthen their pace attack.
India’s Innings: Gaikwad and Kohli’s 195-Run Stand Sets Up Massive Total India started cautiously but lost early wickets, slipping to 62/2. Rohit Sharma (14 off 8, 3 fours) was caught behind off Nandre Burger, and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 38, 2 fours, 1 six) edged to slip off Marco Jansen.
Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad then dominated with a 195-run third-wicket partnership in just 156 balls—the highest for India vs South Africa in ODIs. Gaikwad smashed 105 off 83 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes), playing aggressive yet controlled shots against pace and spin. Kohli, in vintage form, scored 102 off 93 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes)—his second consecutive ODI century—before holing out to long-off off Lungi Ngidi.
KL Rahul (66* off 43, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (24* off 27, 2 fours) provided a strong finish, adding 69 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket. Washington Sundar (1) was run out cheaply. Extras contributed 24 (20 wides, 4 leg-byes). South Africa’s bowlers toiled: Marco Jansen (2/63) was the pick, while Corbin Bosch (0/79) and Keshav Maharaj (0/70) went expensive on a batting paradise.
watch…..India Secures 1-0 Lead with 17-Run Win Over South Africa
Key Milestones in India’s Innings:
- Powerplay (1-10 overs): 62/2 (RR: 6.20)
- Middle overs (11-40): 222/2 (RR: 7.40)
- Death overs (41-50): 74/1 (RR: 7.40)
- Highest ODI total at Raipur venue.
- Kohli-Gaikwad partnership: 195 runs, with 19 fours and 4 sixes combined.
South Africa’s Chase: Markram’s Century and Late Fireworks Seal Epic Win Chasing 359, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock (8 off 11, 2 fours) early to Arshdeep Singh, caught at mid-on. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma steadied with a 101-run second-wicket stand. Markram anchored superbly with 110 off 98 balls (10 fours, 4 sixes), mixing defense with aggression. Bavuma (46 off 48, 3 fours, 1 six) fell to Prasidh Krishna, caught at deep square leg.
Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64, 5 fours) joined Markram for a 70-run third-wicket partnership, keeping the required rate in check. Dewald Brevis then exploded with 54 off 34 balls (1 four, 5 sixes), adding 92 runs with Breetzke for the fourth wicket. Brevis was caught at deep midwicket off Kuldeep Yadav (1/78). Breetzke was lbw to Prasidh (upheld on review) at 317/5, needing 42 off 37 balls.
Tony de Zorzi (17 off 11, 1 six) retired hurt due to injury. Marco Jansen (2 off 2) fell quickly to Arshdeep, but Corbin Bosch (29* off 15, 4 fours) and Keshav Maharaj (10* off 14) finished unbeaten, with Bosch smashing boundaries in the penultimate over off Harshit Rana (1/70). Extras: 18 (11 wides, 1 no-ball, 6 byes/leg-byes). India’s fielding was tidy but couldn’t prevent the chase.
Key Milestones in South Africa’s Innings:
- Powerplay (1-10 overs): 55/1 (RR: 5.50)
- Middle overs (11-40): 234/3 (RR: 7.80)
- Death overs (41-49.2): 73/2 (RR: 8.76)
- Highest successful ODI chase at Raipur.
- Markram’s 110: His fourth ODI century, pivotal in the chase.
- Injuries: De Zorzi retired hurt; Nandre Burger left the field mid-over with an issue.
Player of the Match Aiden Markram for his match-winning 110 and leadership in the chase.
Brief Scores: India 358/5 in 50 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, Virat Kohli 102, KL Rahul 66*; Marco Jansen 2/63, Lungi Ngidi 1/51) South Africa 362/6 in 49.2 overs (Aiden Markram 110, Matthew Breetzke 68, Dewald Brevis 54; Prasidh Krishna 2/85, Arshdeep Singh 2/54)
South Africa won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)
Series Status: Tied 1-1. The third and final ODI will be played on December 6 at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. India will aim to tighten their bowling, while South Africa carries momentum from this chase
