What a series this is turning out to be. After a nail-biting first ODI in Ranchi where a vintage Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli masterclass saw India clinch a 17-run victory, the action shifted to Raipur. With a 1-0 lead, the home side had a golden opportunity to seal the series, while South Africa was fighting to stay alive. The stage was set for another gripping contest under the lights, and boy, did it deliver.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Virat Kohli slammed his 53rd ODI hundred, a majestic 135.
- ✓ Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his brilliant maiden ODI century.
- ✓ India posted a massive total of 358/5 after being asked to bat first.
- ✓ Aiden Markram countered with a spectacular century (110) for South Africa.
- ✓ India won the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs, led by a Rohit-Kohli partnership. Analysts note that
The Ranchi Rewind: A Vintage Masterclass
Let's just take a moment to appreciate what happened in Ranchi. The JSCA International Stadium was treated to something special. Rohit and Kohli, the two former captains, completely turned back the clock. Their 136-run stand for the second wicket was their 20th century partnership in ODIs, and it was a pure exhibition of control and authority. You could feel the confidence radiating from the middle as they sent the South African bowlers on an exhausting leather hunt.
Kohli was in majestic touch, threading drives through the off-side with pinpoint precision. Rohit, carrying his imperious form from the recent Australia series, was unfurling his signature pulls and handling the spinners with ease. It felt like a timely injection of belief for a side still smarting from the Test series drubbing. This partnership gave India the perfect platform to set a daunting total.
It wasn't just the batting, though. The composed leadership from stand-in captain K. L. Rahul was encouraging, and the new-ball pair of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana struck early. But the real star with the ball was Kuldeep Yadav, whose exceptional four-wicket haul was decisive in halting the Proteas' charge. Despite a blistering 70 off 39 balls from Marco Jansen, India held their nerve to win. Research findings show that
Raipur's Run-Fest: The Kohli & Gaikwad display
Fast forward to Raipur for the second ODI. The script started with a familiar twist: India lost their 20th straight toss in ODI cricket. South Africa’s returning captain, Temba Bavuma, chose to bowl, hoping the dew would help his side later on. For India, it was an unchanged XI, meaning no room for Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma. The decision to bowl first seemed like a good one, but what followed was absolute batting carnage. This brings us to
After Nandre Burger got Rohit Sharma early, Virat Kohli walked to the middle. Fresh off a hundred in the previous game, he looked like a man on a mission. He anchored the innings with silky smoothness, maintaining a stable tempo before eventually reaching his 53rd ODI hundred. It was a knock of pure class and calculation, setting the stage for a massive total before he was eventually dismissed for an imperious 135.
But the story of the innings wasn't just about Kohli. It's worth noting that At the other end, Ruturaj Gaikwad played a magnificent hand. We should also mention After a slightly troubled start, he found his fluency and constructed a brilliant partnership with Kohli. Once he settled in, he changed gears beautifully, playing shots all around the ground and accelerating at the perfect time. He brought up his maiden ODI 100 with a boundary through mid-wicket, a truly top-class innings that staked his claim for that number four spot. A late flourish from captain KL Rahul, who chipped in with a mature 66, pushed India to a colossal 358/5.
The Proteas Fight Back with Markram's Masterpiece
Chasing 359 is a monumental task, and it got tougher for South Africa almost immediately. Arshdeep Singh struck in the 5th over, sending the dangerous Quinton de Kock back to the pavilion. With an early wicket down, the pressure was immense. However, Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram dug in, determined to keep their team in the hunt.
The pair started building a solid base, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Markram, in particular, looked in sublime touch. He hammered a shot down the ground to welcome Kuldeep Yadav into the attack and soon brought up his fifty. The partnership grew past 100, and for a while, it looked like South Africa might just pull off something special. They were helped along the way when Yashasvi Jaiswal misjudged a catch in the deep, letting Markram off the hook with the ball sailing for a six. You just can't afford those kinds of mistakes against a player in this form. Research findings show that
Markram made India pay for the reprieve, drilling a hard shot down the ground for four to move to 99 before taking a single to bring up a spectacular century. It was an incredible knock under immense pressure, a lone warrior trying to chase down a giant target. He was the anchor, the aggressor, and the hope for the visitors.
India's Bowlers Hold Their Nerve
Just when the partnership was threatening to take the game away, India found the breakthrough. Prasidh Krishna, after being hit for a six by Bavuma, bowled the same delivery again, and this time the South African skipper holed out straight to Harshit Rana for a well-made 46. Breaking that stand was absolutely crucial for India.
The biggest moment of the chase, however, came from Harshit Rana. It's worth noting that He delivered a slower ball that completely deceived the centurion, Markram, who could only sky it to Gaikwad in the deep. With Markram gone for a brilliant 110, South Africa's chances took a massive hit. From there, despite a fighting half-century from Matthew Breetzke, the required run rate just kept climbing. The pressure mounted, and the Indian bowlers, led by some tidy overs from Kuldeep and Arshdeep, began to tighten the screws. The target was just too far out of reach.
Conclusion
In the end, it was a game defined by centuries. India's monumental total, built on the back of two spectacular hundreds from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, proved to be the difference. While Aiden Markram played an extraordinary innings to keep South Africa in the game, the sheer weight of 359 runs was just too much to overcome. India's bowlers managed to pick up wickets at crucial intervals, ensuring that the pressure never really let up on the visitors. It was another thrilling encounter that showcased the incredible batting talent on both sides.
