South Africa stormed to a thumping 4-wicket win over India in the second ODI on Wednesday in Raipur to level the series 1-1. The breathtaking victory, achieved with four balls to spare, levelled the three-match series and showcased one of South Africa’s finest ODI chases.
The victory was crowned by the composure of Matthew Breetzke and the power of Dewald Brevis, but it was founded on Aiden Markram’s match-defining century. Chasing a mammoth 358, South Africa suffered an early blow when Quinton de Kock fell for just 8, putting pressure on the visitors.
But Aiden Markram stood firm, scoring a sublime 110 off 98 balls. Temba Bavuma contributed a valuable 46. After the dismissals of Markram and Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke played a composed innings, scoring 68. Dewald Brevis unleashed his power to smash 54, a knock laced with five sixes. Down the order, Corbin Bosch (29*) and Keshav Maharaj (10*) kept their nerves and guided South Africa home.
Earlier, asked to bat, India produced a commanding total, finishing on 358/5 in 50 overs. Their innings was built around twin centuries from the experienced Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ruturaj Gaikwad fired 105 runs, while Kohli crafted a superb 102, notching up his 53rd ODI century. KL Rahul also played a valuable knock of 66 unbeaten.