South Africa produced a run-chase of remarkable precision in Raipur, overhauling India’s formidable target of 359 with four wickets and four balls to spare. With this victory, Temba Bavuma’s side levelled the three-match ODI series and registered what stands as their third-highest successful chase in the format. The achievement also equals the highest total ever chased against India in ODIs, a record previously held solely by Australia from 2019.
The pursuit demanded that several key boxes be ticked, and South Africa managed them with almost mathematical accuracy. Aiden Markram, opening the innings, anchored the chase with a superb century—110 off 98 deliveries. Despite being widely regarded for his elegance and consistency, this was remarkably his first century as an ODI opener for South Africa, arriving in his 25th innings in that role. His knock combined traditional stroke-making with calculated aggression, ensuring the chase never drifted out of control.
Markram found valuable support in his captain, Temba Bavuma. The pair stitched together a crucial 101-run stand for the second wicket off just 96 balls. Bavuma contributed a steady 46 from 48 deliveries, rotating strike efficiently and allowing Markram to dominate the scoring. Their partnership steadied the Proteas after an early wicket and laid down a robust platform.
Following Bavuma’s dismissal, Markram forged another productive stand with Matthew Breetzke, adding 70 runs from 55 balls. Breetzke’s fluency allowed Markram the freedom to play risk-free cricket as the required run rate remained within reach.
South Africa’s momentum momentarily wavered when Markram fell with the score on 197, but Breetzke combined brilliantly with Dewald Brevis to push the chase forward. Together they accumulated 92 runs from 64 balls in what proved the match’s decisive partnership. Brevis, continuing to grow in stature, struck a sparkling 54 from just 34 balls, while Breetzke compiled a well-judged 68 from 64, his seventh fifty in only 11 ODIs—an impressive feat that reflects his growing reliability.
The Proteas’ innings displayed an almost perfect pacing: 51 runs in the first 10 overs, 118 by the 20-over mark, and then an acceleration to reach 282 after 40 overs. Although South Africa faced a minor wobble when Breetzke departed and Tony de Zorzi retired hurt, they avoided any major derailment. All-rounder Corbin Bosch applied the finishing touches with a brisk, unbeaten 29 off 15 balls, sealing a chase that will long be remembered for its composure.
Earlier in the day, India amassed 358 for five thanks to centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Kohli, who reached his fifty-third ODI century from 90 balls, recorded his eighty-fourth international ton, drawing ever closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic mark of 100 centuries. Notably, this was Kohli’s second consecutive century in the series and the eleventh instance of him scoring centuries in back-to-back ODI innings—a record in itself. AB de Villiers sits second on that list with six such occurrences.
Kohli’s 195-run stand with Gaikwad for the fourth wicket anchored India’s innings. Kohli eventually fell for 102 off 93 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes, while Gaikwad produced a fluent 105 from 83 deliveries, featuring twelve boundaries and a pair of sixes. India’s openers failed to provide a platform, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and Rohit Sharma (14) dismissed cheaply, but the Kohli-Gaikwad partnership ensured a commanding total.
Brief Scorecard:
India: 358/5 in 50 overs (Kohli 102, Gaikwad 105; Jansen 2/63, Ngidi 2/51)
South Africa: 362/6 in 49.2 overs (Markram 110, Breetzke 68; Arshdeep 2/54, Prasidh 2/85)
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram