Raipur, India – Aiden Markram’s brilliant century powered South Africa to a series-levelling four-wicket victory over India in the second One Day International (ODI) on Thursday. The Proteas successfully chased down a challenging target of 359, tying the three-match series at 1-1. This ODI series win for South Africa is crucial as they aim to build momentum ahead of major tournaments.
The match, played at the Mulana Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, saw Virat Kohli score his 53rd ODI century (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad reach his first (105), but their efforts ultimately weren’t enough to secure a win for the hosts. South Africa’s victory sets the stage for a decisive final match.
Aiden Markram Leads South Africa to Victory in Thrilling ODI
Markram’s composed 110 off 88 balls formed the backbone of South Africa’s chase. He partnered with captain Temba Bavuma (46) for a crucial 101-run second-wicket stand, laying the foundation for the successful pursuit of the target. The Proteas’ chase was the joint-highest successful pursuit against India in ODI cricket, equaling Australia’s 359 in 2019.
Key Moments in the Chase
Despite losing Bavuma in the 21st over, Markram continued to accelerate the scoring. He was given a reprieve when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a catch in the deep. Later, contributions from Dewald Brevis (54) and Matthew Breetzke (68) kept the momentum going, even after Markram’s dismissal to Harshit Rana. A late cameo from Corbin Bosch, who hit the winning boundary, sealed the win for South Africa.
Earlier, India posted a competitive 358 for 5, built around a 195-run third-wicket partnership between Kohli and Gaikwad. Kohli’s innings was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his continued dominance in the 50-over format. KL Rahul also contributed with an unbeaten 66, providing a strong finish to the Indian innings.
Kohli’s Century Goes Unrewarded
While Kohli’s century was a highlight for India, the bowling attack struggled to contain the South African batsmen. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna both took two wickets, but conceded runs at a high rate. The Indian bowlers found it difficult to adjust to the increasing dew on the outfield, which aided the South African batsmen.
The 37-year-old Kohli, who has retired from T20 and Test cricket, continues to be a mainstay in India’s ODI side. His consistent performances underscore his importance to the team, even as the squad undergoes transitions. The focus on cricket scores and player performances remains high among fans and analysts.
South Africa’s victory was not without its challenges. Tony de Zorzi retired hurt with a hamstring injury, adding a layer of concern for the visitors. However, the team demonstrated resilience and composure to overcome the setback and secure the win.
The series now moves to Visakhapatnam for the final match on Saturday. The outcome will determine the winner of the bilateral series. The pitch conditions and weather forecast in Visakhapatnam will be key factors to watch, as will India’s potential adjustments to their bowling strategy. The final match promises to be a thrilling contest between two strong cricketing nations.
Brief Scores
South Africa 362 for 6 (Markram 110, Breetzke 68, Brevis 54, Arshdeep 2-54, Prasidh 2-85) beat India 358 for 5 (Gaikwad 105, Kohli 102, Jansen 2-63) by four wickets.
