A Run-Fest to Remember — But India’s Runs Weren’t Enough -

In a pulsating second ODI at Raipur, India put up a massive 358/5 in their 50 overs — a total that on most days would win you the match. And the shot-makers? A dazzling pair:

Virat Kohli slammed his 53rd ODI century — 102 runs off 93 balls.
Meanwhile Ruturaj Gaikwad struck his maiden ODI ton — a polished 105 off 83 balls.
The two stitched an imposing 195-run stand for the third wicket — the biggest by any Indian pair vs South Africa in ODIs.
To add late impetus, KL Rahul provided a brisk 66* off 43 balls.

At the innings break, 358 looked like a near-match-winning total. The stadium was alive. But cricket — especially in the evening, on a dewy night — had other plans.

South Africa’s Chase — Grit, Skill … and Dew

Chasing 359, South Africa showed calm under pressure, anchored by a match-winning knock from Aiden Markram: 110 runs off 98 balls, laced with boundaries and elegance under pressure.

But Markram alone wasn’t enough. His innings was backed by solid support from:

Matthew Breetzke — 68 runs
Dewald Brevis — a brisk 54 off 34 balls
And a composed finish by Corbin Bosch (29*) and Keshav Maharaj (10*) to see South Africa over the line with four balls to spare.

This chase — 362/6 in 49.2 overs — ended up being the joint-highest successful ODI chase against India.

In short: South Africa’s lineup responded to pressure masterfully, turning what looked like a routine win for India into a thriller.

What Went Wrong for India? The Dew — and Some Costly Errors

Post-match, analysis largely pointed to one culprit: dew. The evening dampness in Raipur made gripping the ball for Indian bowlers — especially spinners — extremely difficult. According to reports:

“The ball, quickly saturated with moisture, lost its ability to swing, seam, or grip the pitch for spin. Delivery after delivery, the ball skidded onto the bat…”

For batters like Markram, that’s a gift. For bowlers, it becomes a nightmare.

Added to that were fielding lapses — dropped catches and misfields at crucial junctures. Mistakes under pressure further tilted the balance in favour of the chasing side.

India’s own captain, KL Rahul, admitted as much — lamenting another lost toss and the challenge of bowling under dewy conditions.

In hindsight, 358/5 looked match-winning only until the conditions changed. Daylight batting, dew-affected bowling — the match swung dramatically under lights.

What This Means for the Series — And the Decider Ahead

With this four-wicket win, South Africa leveled the three-match ODI series at 1–1.

India — despite a brilliant batting display — will rue the missed opportunity. Their bowling attack, which looked good on paper, struggled under conditions.
South Africa, on the other hand, will take confidence — a disciplined chase, handling pressure, and finishing under dew.
The decider in Visakhapatnam (third ODI) now looms large. India will need to either bat deeper (maybe aim for 380+ if batting first again) or hope for bowling conditions that favour them more.

If there’s one thing this match showed: runs — no matter how big — don’t guarantee a win in ODIs. Conditions, execution, and nerves under pressure can change everything.

Takeaways & Lessons from Raipur

Bat deep, bat smart — Centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad weren’t enough; depth beyond the top 4–5 might matter.
Know your conditions — Dew can turn a batting pitch into a bowling nightmare overnight. Toss becomes crucial.
Fielding matters more than ever — Dropped catches & misfields under pressure can cost matches, even when runs have been piled on.
Chase with calm and partnerships — South Africa’s chase was built on balance, not just big hits. Markram’s anchoring + Brevis/Breetzke’s aggression — a textbook chase.