The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur witnessed one of the most thrilling encounters in recent ODI cricket on December 3, 2025, when South Africa executed a masterful chase to overturn India's commanding total and level the three-match series at 1-1. What unfolded was a captivating exhibition of batting prowess, punctuated by moments of individual brilliance, desperate field efforts, and the unpredictable nature of dew-laden evening cricket that ultimately decided the contest's fate. South Africa's four-wicket victory, achieved with just four balls remaining, represented not just a victory but a statement of intent—a reminder that in modern-day ODI cricket, no target is insurmountable when momentum, partnerships, and execution converge at the right moment.
India's Batting Extravaganza: A Total That Should Have Won
Walking into the second ODI, India carried the confidence of a first-match victory, having won the opener in Ranchi by 17 runs. However, the Raipur pitch had different ideas, and so did India's batters, who would go on to produce one of their more complete batting performances in recent times. Under stand-in captain KL Rahul, India posted 358 for 5, a total that appeared commanding, even overwhelming, before the South African chase would provide all the drama and tension that cricket enthusiasts crave.
The foundation of India's innings was laid by the middle-order trinity of Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and KL Rahul, though their journey to that total wasn't without early hiccups. India's opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal fell apart early, the side reaching a modest 62 for 2 by the middle of the third over. It was a precarious position, the kind that could have derailed lesser batting units. But Kohli's presence at the crease changed everything. The maestro walked in with his pedigree intact and his scoring touch evident, having just notched up his 52nd ODI century in Ranchi. What followed was clinical batting at its finest.
Kohli compiled a polished 102 off 93 deliveries, his second consecutive century in this series and the 53rd hundred of his extraordinary ODI career. The shot-making was textbook Kohli—a mix of aggression against the short-pitched deliveries from Marco Jansen, elegant flicks through the leg side against Keshav Maharaj, and powerful strokes through the covers. His fifty came off 47 balls, setting the tone for what would be a high-scoring contest. More importantly, Kohli's presence at the crease seemed to elevate those batting alongside him.
Enter Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Indian Premier League star who has been earmarked as a key player in India's white-ball future. On this December evening in Raipur, Gaikwad introduced himself to international cricket audiences with an exceptional maiden ODI century. His 105 off 83 deliveries was studded with 12 fours and 2 sixes, a strike rate that demonstrated both his aggressive approach and his ability to stay patient when required. What made Gaikwad's innings particularly impressive was his technique against spin bowling. He moved across, used his feet, executed well-timed sweeps against Maharaj, and showed a maturity that belied his relative inexperience at this level. His fifty came off 52 balls, slightly slower than his overall rate, but his acceleration thereafter was evident as he progressed to three figures off just 77 deliveries.
The partnership between Kohli and Gaikwad was the glue that held India's innings together. They added 195 runs for the third wicket in 193 deliveries, a partnership that transformed what could have been a moderate total into a commanding one. The South African bowlers were tested but also contained—Marco Jansen, despite moments of excellence, conceded 63 runs in his spell, while Nandre Burger and the rest of the bowling attack struggled to find consistent lines and lengths.
When Jansen eventually removed both Kohli and Gaikwad in quick succession with slower balls—a tactical masterstroke in modern cricket—India had already built sufficient momentum. Kohli's dismissal came when he was caught off Ngidi for 102, while Gaikwad fell to Jansen for 105, drawing a standing ovation from the Raipur crowd.
The final flourish came courtesy of KL Rahul, who showcased his aggressive credentials with an unbeaten 66 off just 43 deliveries, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. His acceleration, particularly in the final overs against Corbin Bosch, ensured India crossed the 350-run mark convincingly. An 18-run final over from Bosch, which included a six and four from Rahul, gave India the launching pad they believed would secure victory. Ravindra Jadeja contributed a crucial four in that over as well, showing that India had batting depth to spare.
India's total of 358 for 5 represented a strong effort, and on paper, it was the kind of target that should have proven too much for most opponents. Yet, cricket has a unique way of defying expectations, and South Africa's pursuit would prove to be far more successful than any expert prediction might have suggested.
South Africa's Reply: A Chase for the Ages
When South Africa walked in to chase 359 runs—the joint-highest target ever chased down against India (Australia had done it once before in 2019 at Mohali)—they did so without knowing they were about to produce one of the finest chases in recent ODI history. The evening conditions in Raipur, with dew settling quickly and the ball becoming increasingly difficult for the Indian bowlers to control, would prove to be an unwitting ally for the Proteas.
South Africa's chase began with early aggression from their opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. The first three overs saw them score briskly, collecting five boundaries and establishing early momentum. However, India struck immediately when Arshdeep Singh provided the crucial breakthrough, removing de Kock for 8 runs with a leading-edge catch at mid-on—a dismissal that suggested India's bowlers still had teeth in this contest.
What followed was where Markram's masterclass truly began. The South African opener, batting at the top of the order, took center stage and produced a century of exceptional quality. His 110 off 98 deliveries, adorned with 10 fours and 4 sixes, was the fulcrum upon which the entire chase was balanced. Markram's innings was a lesson in match-situation batting—he played conservatively when needed, yet wasn't afraid to take calculated risks. He and captain Temba Bavuma stitched together a crucial 101-run partnership for the second wicket off 96 deliveries, a stand that essentially set the tone for what was to follow.
One moment, however, proved pivotal in determining the eventual outcome. When Markram had reached 53, Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted a catch at long-on off Kuldeep Yadav's bowling but couldn't hold on. The ball went over the boundary for six—a reprieve that would prove to be one of the most costly dropped catches in recent ODI cricket between these two nations. Markram went on to add 57 more runs after this opportunity, underlining just how expensive that single lapse proved to be.
Temba Bavuma's contribution of 46 off 48 deliveries was crucial in maintaining the run rate, even if his dismissal came to a well-executed short ball from Prasidh Krishna, who hooked it to deep mid-wicket. But the South African captain had done his job—keeping the chase on track and ensuring the pressure remained on India's bowlers throughout.
Matthew Breetzke, the rising star making waves in his early ODI career, proved why he was earmarked for bigger things with a composed 68 off 64 deliveries, featuring 5 fours. His partnership with Markram for the third wicket added 70 crucial runs, and later, his partnership with debutant Dewald Brevis for the fourth wicket was nothing short of sensational. Breetzke has enjoyed an exceptional start to his ODI career, and performances like these suggested his potential was far from being realized.
Dewald Brevis's contribution of 54 off just 34 deliveries was the kind of aggressive batting that accelerates a chase to completion. His strike rate of 158.82 showcased his intent, and his two straight sixes off Kuldeep Yadav in the 40th over provided the impetus India couldn't counter. The 92-run partnership between Breetzke and Brevis for the fourth wicket essentially sealed the contest, despite India's best efforts through various bowling changes.
The final overs saw a tense finish with Tony de Zorzi retiring hurt after scoring 17 runs, but by that point, South Africa's margin of victory was largely determined. Corbin Bosch smashed the winning boundary off Prasidh Krishna's final over, finishing with 2 needed from as many balls. South Africa eventually won by 4 wickets with just 4 deliveries remaining, a testament to the closeness of the contest and the drama that unfolded.
Bowling Struggles and the Dew Factor
While the batting was scintillating, India's bowling performance—particularly in the latter stages—raised concerns about their ODI attack's depth and quality. Prasidh Krishna, a pacer who was expected to provide breakthroughs, proved expensive, taking 2 wickets for 85 runs from his 8.2 overs. This performance invited questions about his selection and role in the Indian setup going forward.
The Indian spinners, considered the backbone of the ODI bowling attack, struggled collectively, taking just one wicket across 21 overs while conceding 147 runs. This statistic alone highlighted how difficult the conditions became as dew made the ball slippery and unpredictable for the spinners. Kuldeep Yadav, despite his three ODI World Cup and domestic performances, couldn't replicate that form here, and Washington Sundar's role and approach continued to raise questions about his place in the XI.
Harshit Rana showed promise in the early stages but became expensive later, while Arshdeep Singh deserved credit for his early breakthroughs, finishing with 2 wickets for 54 runs. However, India's inability to maintain pressure through the middle overs—when South Africa's middle order was batting—proved to be the decisive factor.
The dew, which started settling in around the 15th-16th over, played a significant role in the game's outcome. KL Rahul post-match acknowledged this factor, noting that "losing the toss and dew are making a huge difference" in the series. This statement underlined how environmental factors in cricket, often overlooked in post-match analyses, can be decisive.
Conclusion: A Series Reset and Lessons Learned
South Africa's victory at Raipur leveled the three-match ODI series at 1-1, resetting the narrative and ensuring the third ODI would be a do-or-die contest for both teams. For India, the loss was a reminder that individual brilliance—as demonstrated by Kohli, Gaikwad, and Rahul—sometimes isn't enough if fielding lapses and bowling inconsistency intervene. The dropped catch of Markram would be a moment of regret, and the bowling performance, particularly the spinners' inability to control the run rate, would be areas requiring immediate attention.
For South Africa, the victory demonstrated that they possessed the batting depth and resilience to challenge India on their own soil. Markram's masterclass, coupled with contributions across the order, showed a balanced team performance that bodes well for the remainder of the series and their World Cup preparations ahead.
The stage was set for a thrilling finale in the series, and both teams carried lessons from Raipur into the next encounter—India learning the cost of complacency despite a strong performance, and South Africa proving that even the most daunting targets are achievable with skill, partnership, and a bit of fortune.
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