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Kohli, Ruturaj and Markram centuries grab headlines as Proteas level the series by 4 wickets

Mayank

Aiden Markram, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored centuries in Raipur. [Source:BasitSubhani, BCCI/X.com]Aiden Markram, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored centuries in Raipur. [Source:BasitSubhani, BCCI/X.com]

India and South Africa locked horns in the second ODI of the three-match series in Raipur on December 3, after India had clinched the series opener in Ranchi. Over 700 runs were scored, with six fifty-plus scores across both teams, producing a thriller in Raipur.

The visitors ended up clinching the match by 4 wickets, to take the series to a decider in Vishakhapatnam. Here's how the match panned out in Raipur.

Kohli and Ruturaj put on an ODI batting masterclass

India lost both their openers in the powerplay, as the left-handed duo of Nandre Burger and Marco Jansen dismissed Rohit Sharma (14 off 8) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 38), respectively, when Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Virat Kohli in the middle at 62/2 in 9.4 overs.

The duo stitched a massive 195-run stand in 156 deliveries, rotating strike for fun, whilst punishing the poor balls. Ruturaj got to his maiden ODI century in 77 balls, with back-to-back fours off Corbin Bosch, as the crowd erupted in joy. He was dismissed at 105(83) with 12 fours and 2 sixes just moments before Kohli got to his 53rd ODI century in 90 balls, before being dismissed by Lungi Ngidi at 102(93), with 7 fours and two sixes.

Captain KL Rahul provides India with a powerful finish with another fifty

After joining Kohli in the middle with 14.2 overs to go at 257/3, KL Rahul went all guns blazing for his second fifty of the series and scored 66*(43), with the help of 6 fours and two sixes. His finish ensured India had a cushion with 358 runs on the board, considering a lot of dew was expected at the venue.

Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with 24*(27) in their 6th wicket partnership of 69*(54). Marco Jansen was the pick of the Proteas bowlers with the figures of 2/63, Ngidi finished with 1/51, and Burger got 1/43, before hobbling off injured.

Markram's ton leads a strong South African response

Opener and captain from the first ODI, Aiden Markram, got the Proteas off to a stellar start, despite losing Quinton de Kock off Arshdeep Singh early. He stitched a steady 101-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma before the latter was dismissed at 46(48). Markram went on to score an 88-ball ton. He was soon dismissed on a Harshit Rana slower-one at 110(98), finishing with 10 fours and four sixes.

Breetzke and Brevis put the visitors in a commanding position

Following up two consecutive fifty-run stands between Markram-Bavuma and Markram-Breetzke, Dewald Brevis tried turning mometum of the match towards the visitors, with a quick-fire 54(34), scoring five massive sixes and a solitary boundary. On the other end, Breetzke continued his supreme run of form in ODI cricket with another steady fifty — his 7th fifty-plus score in 11-match career.

At the time when Kuldeep Yadav got the better of Brevis at 54, SA found themselves in a promising position, with only 70 required off 57, with a lot of dew for their assistance.

Bosch blows the final punch in the thriller

The Proteas lost the set batter Breetzke after a 28 (20) partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who subsequently hobbled off with a hamstring injury, with still 27 needed from the final five overs.

Following a valiant fifty in Ranchi, Corbin Bosch scored another crucial 29*(15) — this time taking his team past the finishing line. Keshav Maharaj also added crucial 10*(14) from what could have been a tricky situation, with Nandre Burger injured as well.

Arshdeep was India's pick of the bowlers with 2/54 (10). Prasidh Krishna bowled an expensive spell of 2/85 (8.2), while Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav picked a wicket each, conceding 70 and 78, respectively.