South Africa Surges Past India in Record 2nd ODI Chase

Post by : Mina Rahman

In a gripping encounter, Indian captain KL Rahul admitted that sharper focus was needed in pivotal moments, as a decisive toss loss contributed to India's four-wicket setback against South Africa in the second ODI at Raipur on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, India amassed an imposing 358 runs for five wickets, bolstered by centuries from Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls) — his 53rd ODI century — and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls), who celebrated his first ODI ton. However, South Africa showcased their prowess, successfully chasing the total with a score of 362 for six in 49.2 overs, thanks to Aiden Markram's stellar 110, alongside contributions from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54).

At the post-match presentation, Rahul reflected, "It’s not particularly hard to accept, given the dew factor making it tough to bowl in the second innings. The toss had a significant impact, and I regret that decision." He mentioned that while India's score seemed competitive, they could have improved by an additional 20-25 runs for added comfort.

Rahul praised the batting efforts of Kohli and Gaikwad, stating, "Watching Rutu bat was a joy and the way he increased his scoring tempo after fifty was impressive. Virat always delivers, as evident from his numerous performances."

This victory represents South Africa’s highest successful ODI chase on Indian soil, bringing joy to captain Temba Bavuma. He noted, "Our aim coming into this match was to enhance our bowling performance. Key partnerships were essential, and sending Brevis in early proved beneficial. It demonstrates the level of excellence needed to compete against India."

Bavuma emphasized the healthy competition within the squad elevating player performances, stating, "Everyone here knows they must be at their best, and performances like this significantly enhance our confidence."