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NEW DELHI: Architect of South Africa's series-levelling victory in the second ODI against India, Aiden Markram said runs only matter when the team wins, and he felt responsible for the visitors' narrow defeat in the first ODI.

Markram, whose 110 on Wednesday laid the foundation for South Africa’s four-wicket chase of 359, had fallen cheaply in the first ODI at Ranchi, where India claimed a high-scoring win by 17 runs.

"Runs only matter if you win games, to be fair, or at least for me. If we'd lost today, I'd be as miserable as I would have been in the previous game. Getting the result is something that makes me really happy," Markram told the media after the match.

"Being three (wickets) down early in the first game, a lot of that is the difference in the results I feel. From a personal point of view I felt quite responsible for that," he added, reflecting on the opening game.

Early struggles mirrored in chase

"It felt like we were living the first game out again today," he said as South Africa stuttered but managed to cross the line.

Markram noted there wasn’t much discussion during the mid-innings break, with batters focusing on backing their own games.

"There wasn't much to be honest. You kind of know how to chase 350 (or) 360, you have to take the game on a bit and manage that with setting the game up and being smart in between as well," he explained.

"It wasn't a collective discussion, it was each guy backing their game and the options that they feel confident in doing and trusting that and hopefully it comes off," Markram added.

Key contributions from Brevis and Breetzke

In the second ODI, Markram’s century was followed by a 34-ball 54 from Dewald Brevis and a controlled 68 from Matthew Breetzke, helping South Africa reach the target with four balls to spare.

Markram was generous in his praise for the young batters, Brevis and Breetzke, whose 92-run stand for the fourth wicket swung the game in South Africa’s favour.

"Brevis hits the ball (for) miles. He takes the game (head) on. He's not afraid to put bowlers under pressure and as cricket lovers, I suppose it's great to watch. It's really entertaining," he said.

"Matthew Breetzke has had an incredible start to his ODI career. He managed the situation really well today. I think, he's only played 10, 11 (or) 12 games. But the way he batted today was like this guy's got at least 50 caps under his belt."

"(It's) a big plus for us to have the side of Matthew Breetzke that can really take the game on and then the side of Matthew Breetzke that can also manage the chase quite nicely," Markram concluded.

Series outlook and team confidence

The win gives South Africa a chance to beat India in the decider at Visakhapatnam on Saturday, adding to the growing list of achievements for the team ahead of the upcoming white-ball World Cups.

"All of it feels like it's very far away still, but belief and confidence are probably the two things that you can take as a group," Markram said.

"To chase quite a big number (of target) gives the group belief and confidence that the next time you're in that position, (we can say) 'we've done it before and we can do it again'."

(With PTI Inputs)