RAIPUR — With India leading the three-match ODI series 1–0 after a gripping win in Ranchi, the spotlight now turns to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, where India and South Africa will meet in the second ODI on Wednesday. Both sides take several positives into the contest, but the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has the Proteas particularly wary.
Rohit closed out the Australia series with a commanding century, while Kohli returned to form after consecutive ducks with a composed fifty. In the first ODI against South Africa, the pair delivered again, stitching together another memorable partnership that set the stage for India’s 17-run victory.
Batting first in Ranchi, India posted a formidable 349/8, driven by Kohli’s brilliant 135 — his 52nd ODI hundred — and solid half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (57) and KL Rahul (60). The 136-run stand between Rohit and Kohli stabilized India after an early setback, and contributions from Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja pushed the score upward despite a late collapse triggered by Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch.
South Africa’s reply stumbled early when Harshit Rana removed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in consecutive deliveries. Arshdeep Singh then dismissed Aiden Markram, leaving the visitors under pressure. Middle-order resistance came through Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, and Dewald Brevis, but Kuldeep Yadav repeatedly broke South Africa’s rhythm with four crucial wickets.
Jansen’s explosive hitting gave the Proteas late hope, and Bosch’s fighting fifty carried the chase into the final over with 19 needed. But Prasidh Krishna’s dismissal of Bosch sealed India’s win in a tense finish. India’s strong partnerships, timely breakthroughs, and disciplined death bowling proved decisive.
The focus now shifts to Raipur, where Rohit and Kohli—both now committed solely to the ODI format—continue to dominate attention. Their recent scoring form, combined with Raipur’s limited history of hosting international fixtures, makes this match an especially anticipated outing for spectators.
India will also look for contributions from younger batters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Jaiswal returned to the ODI XI as Rohit’s opening partner, while Gaikwad earned a place in the lineup ahead of Rishabh Pant for the first time in nearly two years. Both will be expected to build on that opportunity after quiet outings in the opener.
For South Africa, the mission is clear: prevent Rohit and Kohli from dictating the game if they hope to level the series. While the visitors showed commendable fight through Breetzke, Jansen, and Bosch, their inability to sustain partnerships in the middle overs proved costly.
India, despite the win, will reflect on their late-innings batting collapse and periods of looseness in the middle-overs bowling. Those areas will be under scrutiny as they aim to clinch the series.
The second ODI takes place on Wednesday, December 3, at 1:30 p.m. IST, with live coverage on Star Sports Network and streaming on JioHotstar.
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen (Source: IANS)
