New Delhi: South Africa nailed a tricky chase in Raipur to square the ODI series, hunting down 359 with four wickets in hand. As the night went on, dew made batting easy, but India still didn’t help themselves with sloppy fielding and inconsistent lines. Even so, it needed someone to take the command of the chase and Aiden Markram stepped into that role with a beautifully paced century after Quinton de Kock fell early.
Markram stitched key stands with Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke and Men in Blue’s mood shifted when Yashasvi Jaiswal put down a catch with the South African captain on 53. He went on to punish that mistake with an 88-ball ton before Breetzke and Dewald Brevis added another crucial 92. When both fell along with Marco Jansen, India found a bit of belief again, especially once Tony de Zorzi hobbled off injured.
But that late spark didn’t last long as Corbin Bosch ran out of support in the series opener stayed calm under pressure this time and finished the job with Keshav Maharaj at his side. Earlier in the day, Virat Kohli scored his second consecutive hundred while Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed his first ODI ton, looking like they had set up a winning total. Instead, visitors walked off with the momentum and the series heading to an exciting decider.
Social media reaction
What a senseless approach by Team India coach & management India playing with only 5 specialist batsmen with so many key players rested / injured & Jadeja should quit from ODI’s pathetic batting, bowling & fielding & also on what basis Washington is been selected 🙏🙏#INDvSA
— RK Reddy 🇮🇳 (@Rams_krrish) December 3, 2025
I think we lost the match in last 10 overs of Indias batting Sundar and Jadeja were not upto mark. Jaddu is not the power hitter in ODI’s neither Sundar we need someone strong at 7 . Fielding was poor and Prasidh Krishna does not have control ,toss is another factor.#INDvsSA…
— Suresh Pandey (@surepande) December 3, 2025
No fielding intensity, no bowling plans, no discipline. That’s how you lose after scoring big.
— Ranvijayy Rathore (@Ranvijayy_) December 3, 2025
India’s fielding isn’t quite giving the bowlers the support they need in these difficult bowling conditions
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 3, 2025
What an unbelievable start to Matthew Breetzke’s career. He hasn’t played a single game at home, and all seven of his half centuries have come away from home.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 3, 2025
More to follow…