Raipur: Virat Kohli’s record-extending 53rd ODI century and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden hundred went in vain as South Africa chased down a daunting 358-run target to win the second ODI by four wickets, levelling the three-match series 1-1 on Wednesday.

Kohli, 37, brought up his hundred off 90 balls, marking his 11th consecutive ODI century sequence, the most in cricket history, surpassing AB de Villiers’ six. Kohli finished with 102 runs off 93 deliveries, caught in the deep while attempting an ambitious lofted drive against pacer Lungi Ngidi. 

The century was also Kohli's seventh against South Africa in ODIs, the joint-most by any batter against the Proteas alongside New Zealand's Kane Williamson. Coming off his match-winning 135 in the series opener at Ranchi, Kohli has now scored three consecutive centuries against South Africa, including his unbeaten 101 in the 2023 World Cup.

Kohli's 84 international hundreds now trail only Sachin Tendulkar's 100 centuries, with the nearest active player, Joe Root, sitting 26 behind on 58. The Raipur venue became the 34th different location where Kohli has scored an ODI century, equaling Tendulkar's record.

Gaikwad contributed a powerful 105 off 83 balls, anchoring the innings with 12 boundaries and two sixes.

The duo stitched together a record 195-run partnership for the third wicket, the highest by any Indian pair versus South Africa in ODIs and the highest third-wicket stand against the visitors. This partnership overtook the 194-run record previously set by Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik in 2010.

South Africa’s Aiden Markram led the chase with a vital 110, supported by Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, who both scored crucial fifties in a successful 362-6 run chase, the highest ever successful ODI chase on South African soil. The victory also marked only the second time India has lost an ODI after posting 350-plus runs.

The series decider takes place on Saturday in Visakhapatnam, with both teams poised for a thrilling finale.