SA chase 359 despite Virat–Ruturaj tons in high-scoring Raipur thriller

Kohli, Gaikwad Hundreds Not Enough as South Africa Chase 359 to Level Series.

Virat Kohli’s 53rd ODI century and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden hundred gave India hope on a dewy evening in Raipur, but it wasn’t enough as South Africa successfully chased 359 to level the three-match series 1-1. India’s poor fielding and inability to accelerate in the final overs proved costly, despite anticipating the dew’s impact on the second innings.

KL Rahul’s disappointment at losing the toss became clearer as India struggled to defend a total that initially looked competitive. After defending 349 in the series opener at Ranchi, India needed an even bigger score in Raipur but fell short, giving away at least 25 extra runs through fielding lapses and a damp outfield, with even Ravindra Jadeja finding the conditions tricky.

Record Chase
South Africa matched the record for the highest successful chase by a visiting team in India, equaling Australia’s 359 in Mohali in 2019. Kohli and Gaikwad thrilled the crowd with a 195-run partnership, but South Africa’s batters countered with power hitting and capitalized on the dewy conditions.

Aiden Markram’s authoritative 110 off 98 balls, Dewald Brevis’s 34-ball 54, and Matthew Breetzke’s 68 steadied the chase, taking South Africa past the finish line with four balls to spare. Markram became the first South African opener since 2010 to score an ODI century in India, though he fell soon after, undone by a slower delivery from Harshit Rana.

India’s bowlers struggled with the wet ball, which needed to be replaced twice. Brevis and Breetzke added 92 runs in 69 balls for the fourth wicket before Brevis fell to Kuldeep Yadav, giving India a brief window. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana were unable to contain the runs, highlighting India’s lack of experience without Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Arshdeep Singh impressed with control, dismissing in-form Marco Jansen in the 45th over.

Injuries complicated South Africa’s innings, with Tony de Zorzi leaving due to a hamstring issue and No. 11 Nandre Burger already injured. Corbin Bosch held his nerve, remaining unbeaten to guide South Africa to victory in the final over.

India’s Missed Opportunities
Even with Kohli and Gaikwad reaching hundreds, India left 20–30 runs on the field. KL Rahul’s 66 off 43 balls was a lone resistance in the death overs, while Washington Sundar managed just one run from eight deliveries. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 24 off 27 balls after walking in at the 50th over, highlighting India’s lack of finishing firepower.

The series decider will be played in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6.