Cricket lovers were treated to a pulsating spectacle on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, as the India national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team locked horns in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. The match had everything: big hundreds, high-scoring drama, shifting momentum — and a nail-biting finish that will be replayed in memories for a long time.
India’s blistering start: Tons from Kohli and Gaikwad
Raipur
Sent in to bat first after losing the toss, India came out blazing under clear skies. Early setbacks — the departures of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma for 22 and 14 respectively — might have threatened to derail the innings, but what followed was vintage batting from two of India’s top guns.
Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass: a 102 off 93 balls, studded with 7 fours and 2 sixes, anchoring the innings with poise and experienceMeanwhile, the young and determined Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed his maiden ODI century — 105 off 83 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and 2 sixes — showcasing his brand of fearless stroke play.
Between them, Kohli and Gaikwad stitched a massive 195-run partnership for the third wicket. Even after Gaikwad fell, captain KL Rahul held firm with an unbeaten 66 off 43 balls, steering India to a formidable total of 358/5 in their 50 overs.
By the end of India’s innings, it seemed as if they had posted an unassailable target — one big enough to crush any opposition.
South Africa’s chase: Calm heads and fearless strokes
Raipur
But if India’s innings was a display of dominance, South Africa’s reply was a composure-tested, nerve-wracking chase of the highest order. Opening with caution, they steadily built the innings. The defining moment came through Aiden Markram — a brilliant 110 off 98 balls, laced with classy strokeplay that underpinned the chase.
Complementing Markram were Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis — Breetzke contributed 68, while Brevis added a quickfire 54, shifting momentum sharply in South Africa’s favour.Raipur
As the required runs kept ticking away, there were tense moments — the loss of a few wickets, India sniffing a comeback — but the South African middle-order held firm. When it came down to the final over, needing just a few runs, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj calmly guided their team home. Bosch hammered the winning runs with a clean drive past mid-on, sealing a famous victory with four balls to spare.
Historic chase — Records rewritten
Raipur
What South Africa pulled off was nothing short of spectacular. Their successful chase of 359 — finishing on 362/6 — is now the joint second-highest run-chase ever against India in ODIs, eclipsing several historic run-fests on Indian soil.
For India, the heartbreak is clear: two back-to-back centuries (Kohli and Gaikwad) and a big total — yet defeated. On the flip side, South Africa’s composure under pressure, intelligent shot selection, and collective batting effort made the difference. The stakes are now high as the third and decider ODI looms on December 6 in Visakhapatnam.Raipur
Key performances at a glance
| Player | Team | Performance | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | India | 102 (93) | Anchored India’s innings, kept the run-rate healthy. |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | India | 105 (83) | Maiden ODI ton — gave India a flying start after early loss. |
| KL Rahul | India | 66* (43) | Provided late-innings stability and momentum. |
| Aiden Markram | South Africa | 110 (98) | Match-defining century under pressure in a huge chase. |
| Matthew Breetzke | SA | 68 | Steady middle-order knock to support Markram. |
| Dewald Brevis | SA | 54 | Aggressive acceleration — shifted momentum. |
| Corbin Bosch & Keshav Maharaj | SA | 29* & 10* | Calm finishing pair under final-over pressure. |
What this means for the series — and for both teams
With this win, South Africa have brilliantly leveled the three-match series at 1–1. It also shows that on their day, they can challenge even the most daunting targets on foreign soil. Their balance of aggression and composure — from top to tail — will give them confidence going into the decider.Raipur
For India, the innings raises questions about their bowling attack and their ability to defend big totals. While the batsmen delivered in full force, the bowlers couldn’t capitalise — especially as dew settled in and the pitch eased out. The onus will be on the bowling unit to rebound strongly in the third ODI.Raipur
As for fans, the stage is now set for a blockbuster decider — one which promises to be every bit as dramatic, given the momentum, firepower and stakes involved.Raipur
Final Thoughts
Cricket is a game of fine margins, and few matches highlight that better than this Raipur thriller. Two majestic hundreds from India seemed enough — yet South Africa’s calm, collective response under pressure reminded everyone why this sport is unpredictable and relentlessly exciting.Raipur
On December 6, in Visakhapatnam, expect fireworks: a series-decider, national pride, and perhaps — another unforgettable saga.Raipur
Editor