South Africa Chase Down 359 to Beat India by Four Wickets and Level ODI Series in Raipur
South Africa completed a remarkable chase of 359 runs to defeat India by four wickets in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The result levels the three-match series 1–1 and sets up a decisive final game in Visakhapatnam.
Despite strong centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad and a late push from KL Rahul, South Africa’s determined batting lineup produced one of the most impressive run chases against India in ODI history.
Markram Leads the Way with a Brilliant Century
Aiden Markram anchored the chase with a superb 110 off 98 balls. He built key partnerships throughout the innings, including stands of 101 with Temba Bavuma and 70 with Matthew Breetzke. A dropped catch on 53 allowed him to continue the momentum and push South Africa closer to the target.
Markram’s calm and controlled approach helped his team navigate early pressure and take advantage of the dewy evening conditions that reduced assistance for Indian bowlers.
Breetzke and Brevis Keep the Chase Alive
Matthew Breetzke scored a fluent 68, while Dewald Brevis added an aggressive 54 to keep South Africa ahead of the required run rate. The pair shared a 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket, attacking both pace and spin with confidence.
Brevis’ quick scoring, including powerful sixes, shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour. Although both batters fell before the finish, they laid the foundation for the final push.
Bosch Completes the Chase
Corbin Bosch added an unbeaten 29 to guide the visitors home with four balls left. South Africa’s total of 359 equals the joint-highest chase ever achieved against India in ODIs, matching Australia’s effort in Mohali in 2019.
India’s Strong Batting Effort Falls Short
Earlier, India posted 358/5 thanks to Gaikwad’s 105, Kohli’s 102 and Rahul’s unbeaten 66. The pair of Kohli and Gaikwad added 195 runs for the third wicket, giving India a strong base. However, dropped chances and inconsistent bowling in the second innings allowed South Africa to dominate.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Raipur ODI delivered a memorable contest with exceptional batting from both sides. India’s strong total looked competitive, but South Africa showed remarkable composure in the chase. As the series moves to Visakhapatnam, both teams will look to correct their mistakes and seize the momentum for the decider. The final match promises a high-intensity battle with the series on the line.