In a breathtaking display of batting prowess, South Africa etched their name into cricket history by successfully completing the joint-highest run chase ever recorded on Indian soil during the second one-day international in Naya Raipur. The visitors spectacularly overhauled India’s formidable target of 359 runs with four wickets remaining and a mere four deliveries to spare, marking this achievement as the sixth highest chase in the entire history of one-day international cricket.
The foundation of this extraordinary victory was laid by opener Aiden Markram, who delivered a magnificent 110 runs from just 98 deliveries. Markram’s fourth ODI century provided the crucial backbone to South Africa’s innings, with substantial support coming from Matthew Breetzke’s 68 and Dewald Brevis’ explosive 54 from only 34 balls. The match reached its dramatic conclusion when Corbin Bosch sealed the victory with an unbeaten 29 from 15 deliveries, including the championship-winning boundary.
Earlier in the match, India had posted an imposing total of 358-6, powered by exceptional centuries from batting maestro Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Kohli, reinforcing his dominance in the format, notched his 53rd ODI century with a splendid 102, while Gaikwad celebrated his maiden international hundred with 105 runs. The duo established a formidable 195-run partnership for the third wicket, seemingly putting India in a commanding position.
Despite India’s strong batting performance, their bowling attack proved insufficient to contain South Africa’s determined chase. The visitors’ victory levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive final match in Visakhapatnam this coming Saturday. This remarkable contest will be followed by a five-match T20 series between the two cricketing nations.