In cricket, momentum is often shaped not just by big knocks but also by the smaller contributions that either lift a team or quietly pull it back.
India’s second ODI against South Africa in Raipur became a reminder of how even a brief innings can influence the direction of a match. What looked like a dominating Indian performance eventually turned into a four-wicket defeat and Irfan Pathan believes the turning point came from an unexpected place.
India had piled up an imposing 358 for 5, driven by centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, while KL Rahul added a burst of energy with his quick 66 off 43 balls. By the time Ravindra Jadeja walked in at 289 for 5 in the 41st over, India seemed poised for a massive finish. But Jadeja managed only 24 off 27 balls, finding just two boundaries while Rahul took on most of the responsibility in their unbeaten 69-run stand.
Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment on his show, explaining that Ravindra Jadeja’s innings felt unusually slow for the situation. He said it lacked the intent that the moment demanded, especially when everyone else in the lineup had batted at a brisk pace. According to him, it wasn’t criticism made in hindsight, even during commentary, there was concern that the innings might hurt India later. He added that with the ball expected to get wet under lights, a condition that usually troubles bowlers, India needed to push harder in the final overs.
Irfan Pathan praised KL Rahul for lifting the total with 18 runs in the last over but maintained that South Africa’s disciplined comeback, combined with Ravindra Jadeja’s lack of urgency, left India short of the finishing kick they needed. His view was that Ravindra Jadeja simply did not pull his weight with the bat and that ended up widening the small margin South Africa capitalised on.
With the series now level, both the teams move to Vizag for a decisive final ODI, carrying their own lessons from Raipur.