Raipur: A superb century by Aiden Markram, along with breezy fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, helped South Africa pull off a mammoth chase of 359 and beat India by four wickets to level the three-game series 1-1 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
After centuries by Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad propelled India to 358/5 in 50 overs, Markram anchored the pursuit with a superb 110 off 98 balls, while Breetzke’s fluent 68 and Dewald Brevis’ enterprising 54 provided the middle-order muscle to complete the chase with four balls to spare.
Markram’s century was the fulcrum of the Proteas chase, built on partnerships of 101 and 70 with Temba Bavuma and Breetzke, and capitalised on being dropped on 53 by Yashasvi Jaiswal to the fullest. Breetzke and Brevis then stitched together a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket to keep South Africa ahead of the asking rate in dewy conditions, as India made costly lapses with the ball and in the field.
Corbin Bosch applied finishing touches by hitting an unbeaten 29 to ensure the visitors completed their third-highest ODI chase and silenced the Raipur crowd. Chasing 359 also equals the joint-highest score ever chased against India in ODIs, alongside Australia’s successful pursuit in Mohali in 2019.
South Africa’s chase was off to a flier when Markram and Quinton de Kock hit five boundaries between themselves in the first three overs. But India struck when Arshdeep Singh forced de Kock to hit over leg-side, and the leading edge was caught by mid‑on and dismissed him for eight. Though Arshdeep and Harshit Rana continued to trouble Markram, the right-hander produced crisp strokes once the new ball threat was gone.
He and Temba Bavuma took a boundary each off Prasidh Krishna, as South Africa ended the first Power-play at 51/1. With dew setting in, Markram grew in confidence against spin by taking boundaries off them consistently to reach his half‑century off 52 balls. Kuldeep Yadav’s introduction offered India little respite, as a dropped catch by Jaiswal at long‑on gave Markram a reprieve on 53.
Prasidh eventually got his first wicket by dismissing Bavuma for 46 with a short ball, which the batter hooked to deep mid-wicket. Markram, however, marched forward with clean striking against Prasidh, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja to get his first hundred as an ODI opener in 88 balls. His subdued celebration reflected the task ahead – of getting South Africa home in a tall chase.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continueNew Delhi: Former South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's show will continue in the ongoing ODI series. At the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, India overcame a scare and easily defeated South Africa in a closely contested match to win the first ODI by 17 runs. Dale Steyn said: “I think the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue. I’m eager to see which fast bowlers, and which spinners, come out and do something interesting." India put up a commanding first innings total, driven by a brilliant century from Virat Kohli and critical fifties from Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul, following the early setback as India amassed a mammoth 398/8 in 50 overs. Later in the game, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68 and Harshit Rana 3/65 helped India beat the visitors by 17 runs. The experienced pair of Rohit and Virat stitched together a fluent 136-run stand, taking the pressure off after the early setback. Rohit reached a brisk 57 off 51 balls and broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for most ODI sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him lbw. In the meantime, Kohli carried on unhindered, reaching his 83rd international century and 52nd ODI century. |
