South Africa surpass mammoth India score in 2nd ODI to square the series

 

Dew in Raipur poured cold water on India’s hopes of sealing the series with a match to spare. Despite putting up a massive 358, Gambhir’s brigade failed to defend the total. Two sparkling centuries went in vain as Markram, Brevis and Breitzke produced superb innings to guide South Africa to victory in the second ODI. With this win, the three-match series is now level.

After Virat Kohli’s dismissal, India managed only 74 runs off the final 65 balls. At one stage, the score seemed destined to touch 400, but the innings stalled at 358. On a dewy Raipur pitch, it was evident that defending that total would not be easy for the Indian bowlers — and so it proved. But it would be unfair to blame the conditions alone. India were equally let down by the erratic, uncontrolled spells from Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana, and by sloppy fielding that leaked runs relentlessly.

Ironically, India had begun the match in fine fashion. Rahul once again lost the toss, but after being asked to bat, India lost both openers — Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma — inside the first 10 overs. From there, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad took charge, stitching together a superb 195-run stand. Ruturaj, who registered the first century of his international career, made 105 off 83 balls. Soon after, Kohli brought up the 84th international hundred of his career, scoring 102 off 93 balls. By then, India’s run rate had surged to nearly 7.5 an over.

Skipper KL Rahul promoted himself to No. 5 and built on his half-century in Ranchi with another brisk innings, reaching fifty in just 33 balls and finishing unbeaten on 66. However, once Kohli departed, India’s scoring rate dipped noticeably. Washington Sundar was run out cheaply, and Ravindra Jadeja could muster only 24 off 27 balls, ending India’s push towards 400. They finished on 358 for 5 after 50 overs.

Even at the break, there were murmurs that the total might not be enough under the conditions — and that fear turned out to be accurate. Although South Africa lost an early wicket at 26, the second-wicket stand quickly brought up a century partnership. Temba Bavuma fell for 46, but Aiden Markram began dismantling the Indian attack, smashing 110 off just 98 balls.

Even after player of the match ,  Markram’s dismissal, India never regained control. In the middle order, Matthew Breitzke and Dewald Brevis played match-defining knocks. Breitzke scored 68, while Brevis hammered a rapid 54 off 34 balls. Their partnership almost took the game completely out of India’s hands. However quick fall of wickets of Brevis , Breetzke & Jansen (2) opened up the game for India . The Proteas suffered a major blow with Zorzi (17*) retired hurt with a hamstring strain but Corbin Bosch (29*) with sensible batting along with Maharaj picking up singles & twos took the tourists closer to victory . Finally  with four balls to spare, South Africa sealed the chase — the third-highest successful run chase in their ODI history.