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NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s 53rd ODI ton and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden century were overshadowed by a determined South African chase, as the visitors claimed a four-wicket victory in the second ODI against India on Wednesday.

Chasing 359, South Africa relied on a brilliant century from Aiden Markram (110), a blistering 34-ball 54 (1x4s, 5x6s) from Dewald Brevis, and Matthew Breetzke’s 68 to cross the line in another spirited batting display.

The series-deciding third and final ODI will take place in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Dew helps Proteas over the line

India’s task was far from over despite putting a massive total on the board. Heavy dew in the second half made the spinners’ job harder, while Prasidh Krishna’s expensive figures (2/79) added to India’s woes.

Prasidh, who had earlier broken a second-wicket century stand by dismissing Temba Bavuma (46), finally pinned Breetzke leg-before, and soon after Arshdeep Singh (2/54) removed the dangerous Marco Jansen (2). But Corbin Bosch (29 not out off 15) and Keshav Maharaj (10 not out off 14) guided South Africa to victory with four balls to spare.

Markram leads from the front

Markram dominated under lights, using the flat pitch to perfection and notching up his maiden century against India. He anchored the innings alongside Bavuma, putting on 101 for the second wicket after Arshdeep had removed Quinton de Kock (8).

Markram remained the aggressor, piercing gaps at will and clearing the ropes with both power and finesse. He also used his feet well against India’s spinners, who struggled in the heavy dew conditions. Luck favoured him too when a powerful drive off Kuldeep Yadav went through Yashasvi Jaiswal’s hands for a six, preventing his dismissal at 53.

Eventually, Harshit Rana (1/70) dismissed Markram with a short off-cutter, but Brevis and Breetzke combined for a 92-run partnership off 64 balls to take control of the chase. While Brevis fell after his explosive fifty, Breetzke remained composed to make 68, marking his second consecutive half-century.

Incidentally, this was only the second instance where India lost an ODI despite scoring over 350, the first being a four-wicket defeat against Australia in March 2019 at Mohali.

Kohli and Gaikwad shine for India

Earlier, Kohli (102 off 93 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s), Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, 12x4s, 2x6s), and KL Rahul’s quickfire 66 not out propelled India to a formidable 358/5.

Kohli and Gaikwad’s 195-run partnership reset the record for India’s highest third-wicket stand against South Africa in ODIs, providing the platform for a big total. Rahul’s second consecutive fifty (66 not out off 43 balls, 6x4s, 2x6s) ensured India maintained momentum despite adjustments in the batting order, including the stand-in skipper coming in at No 5 ahead of Washington Sundar, who struggled again.

Gaikwad proves the perfect foil

Unlike in Ranchi, where he struggled in the middle order, Gaikwad complemented Kohli perfectly, rotating the strike efficiently and matching him in stroke-play at times. Once past his half-century, Gaikwad accelerated confidently.

From a powerful pull shot over the ropes to deft singles converted into doubles, Gaikwad’s innings mirrored Kohli’s precision and intent. Kohli, meanwhile, looked in complete control, extending his record with a well-paced 53rd ODI century.

(With PTI Inputs)