The South African Cricket Team has defeated India in the second One Day International of the three-match series between these two teams, tying the series with one match to go. This result comes in spite of Virat Kohli hitting his 84th international century.
Today was the second India vs South Africa ODI. The first match saw India pick up the win in a match that was thrilling throughout. The second game was played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur and saw the away team win the toss and decide to chase on a batting-friendly pitch.
IND Vs SA: India Lose 2nd ODI Despite Kohli 100
While the Indian Cricket Team did get off to a quick start to their inning, they also lost a couple of wickets in the powerplay. First, in the fifth over, Rohit Sharma was caught behind, dismissed by Nandre Burger for 14 off eight. Then, in the 10th over, after making 22 off 38, Yashasvi Jaiswal departed, falling victim to Marco Jansen.
But then came a stellar partnership between Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The two took on the Proteas bowling order, scoring runs, hitting boundaries, and looking dominant.
Over the next 25 runs or so, the two men formed a 195-run partnership. In the process, Ruturaj made his first international century. However, he then looked to further accelerate his innings, despite batting with a 120+ strike rate, getting out soon after as he was caught at square leg for 105 off 83.
Kohli reached his ton soon after, making it his second in this series. Not only has Virat made two hundreds in as many games in this series, but he has also extended his lead of most ODI centuries ever. He now has 53 100s in the one-day format. Virat Kohli, soon after making his century, got out for 102 off 93. The score was 284/4 in the 40th over. Washington Sundar got out soon after, being run out. At the end of 41 overs, the score was 289/5.
The pair of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja steered India to the end of the inning. The two veterans did not lose their wickets and took the Men in Blue past the 350-run mark. Rahul made 66 off 43, while Jadeja made 24 off 27. However, there was a feeling in the air that India could very well have made 20 or so more runs. The Indian cricket team’s innings ended at 358/8.
Chasing a 350+ run target for a second game in a row, the South Africans responded to a solid batting effort by India by losing an early wicket. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock got in the fifth over for eight off 11, dismissed by Arshdeep Singh.
But then came the biggest South African partnership of the game as Aiden Markram paired up with captain Temba Bavuma to fight back against the Indian bowling attack. The two batters first attacked the pace and then dealt with the spin in their 101-run partnership. By the time skipper Bavuma was dismissed by Harshit Rana for 46 off 48 in the 21st over, the score was 127/2.
Then came another solid Proteas partnership, as Markram linked with Matthew Breetzke. The two batters that represented the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL last season batted for nine overs together and 70 runs. During this partnership, Aiden Markram reached the 100-run mark. He got out in the 30th over to end this third-wicket partnership after making 110 off 98.
Another impressive partnership would come next, as Breetzke paired up with Dewald Brevis for a 92-run partnership. South Africa crossed 280 runs at the 40-over mark, needing to score 77 runs in the final 10 overs.
Brevis, after scoring a quickfire half century, got out for 54 off 34 in the 41st over. Tony de Zorzi would walk in next and try to keep the pace up but had hurt his leg at some point on the crease.
Despite falling behind in the game, the Indian Cricket Team rallied and picked up some quick wickets. Only a few overs after Brevis’ wicket, Matthew Breetzke departed for 54 off 34. Then, Marco Jansen was dismissed after making just a couple runs. Then, in the over after that, de Zorzi left the pitch, retiring hurt.
At this point, the score was 332/6 in 45 overs, as the South Africans needed 27 off 30, with Corbin Bosch being the only proper batter left.
However, Bosch took it upon himself to finish the matchup, something he failed to do in the last game. The all-rounder made 29 off 15. And with some decent support by Maharaj (10 off 14), Bosch took the Proteas home with four balls to spare. South Africa won this match by four wickets.
For his brilliant match-winning ton, Aiden Markram was named the Player of the Match.
With this result, the three-match series is now tied 1-1 as we go into the last match. The third and final match of this series will be played on Saturday, December 6, in the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
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