South Africa pull off stunning 359 chase despite Kohli’s 53rd ODI ton

Raipur: South Africa completed a stunning chase of 359 to beat India in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, levelling the three-match series 1-1 with a thrilling four-wicket win sealed in the final over.

Opener Aiden Markram struck a superb 110, anchoring the effort with a 101-run stand alongside captain Temba Bavuma, who made 46. Their partnership set the tone for equalling the joint-highest total ever chased against India; Australia had earlier matched the same 359 target in Mohali in 2019.

Markram, dropped on 53 by Yashasvi Jaiswal, completed his fourth ODI ton in 88 balls before Harshit Rana removed him with a slower ball, triggering loud cheers in the 60,000-capacity stadium.

Dewald Brevis then lifted the chase with a brisk 54 off 34 balls, combining with Matthew Breetzke (68) for a 92-run fourth-wicket stand. Brevis reached his maiden ODI fifty with a six off Kuldeep Yadav, but the spinner dismissed him the very next ball.

Breetzke soon fell lbw to Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh removed Marco Jansen for 2. Tony de Zorzi retired hurt on 17 with a hamstring issue, adding late drama to the chase.

Number eight Corbin Bosch held firm, hitting the winning boundary in an unbeaten 29, guiding the visitors home alongside Keshav Maharaj, who finished on 10 not out. South Africa completed the chase with four balls to spare.

How India built their 358-5

Virat Kohli struck his second consecutive century, making 102 for his 53rd ODI hundred. He and Ruturaj Gaikwad stitched a crucial 195-run partnership after early setbacks following the dismissals of Rohit Sharma for 14 and Jaiswal for 22.

Gaikwad reached his maiden ODI century with a boundary before falling, while Kohli pushed on to record his 84th international ton across formats. The crowd rose to applaud as he walked back after being dismissed by Lungi Ngidi.

Skipper KL Rahul added an unbeaten 66 to guide India to 358-5.

The 37-year-old Kohli, now retired from T20 and Test formats along with Rohit, plays only ODIs, and continued to show mastery in the 50-over game.

What comes next

The series decider will be played on Saturday in Visakhapatnam, with both teams seeking momentum ahead of the upcoming international calendar.