Cricket fans in Raipur witnessed a breathtaking, high-stakes thriller on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, that had everything: record-setting partnerships, individual brilliance, and a chase for the ages. In the end, India vs South Africa delivered a heartbreaker for the home crowd, as South Africa pulled off a stunning four-wicket win to level the three-match series at 1-1.
Table of Contents
- India Posts a Mammoth Total
- Virat Kohli’s Masterclass
- Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Breakthrough Innings
- South Africa’s Heroic Chase
- Aiden Markram’s Decisive Century
- What Does This Mean for the Final ODI?
- Conclusion
- Sources
India Posts a Mammoth Total
After being put in to bat by South Africa at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, India looked in complete control. The decision to bat first proved to be a masterstroke as the pitch offered a true surface for batting, allowing the Indian top order to flourish. The men in blue posted a colossal total of 358 for 5 in their 50 overs, a score that would have seemed more than enough on most days .
Virat Kohli’s Masterclass
The star of the show for India was none other than Virat Kohli. In his trademark style, Kohli anchored the innings with a composed and powerful century. This was his 53rd ODI century, further cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats [[10], [11]]. His knock was a masterclass in pacing an innings, blending caution with calculated aggression to build a formidable platform for the team.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Breakthrough Innings
Alongside Kohli, young gun Ruturaj Gaikwad announced his arrival on the big stage with a sensational maiden ODI century. Gaikwad’s 77-ball 100 was a whirlwind of elegant strokeplay, making him only the second-fastest Indian to reach a ton against South Africa [[21], [22]]. The 193-run partnership between Kohli and Gaikwad was the backbone of India’s imposing total, leaving fans at the ground in awe of the batting display .
South Africa’s Heroic Chase in the India vs South Africa Clash
Facing a daunting target of 359, South Africa’s chase began with a mountain to climb. Many would have considered the game over after India’s batting masterclass. However, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, and the Proteas had other plans. Their chase, which culminated in a victory with 27 balls to spare, is now one of their highest successful run chases in ODI history .
Aiden Markram’s Decisive Century
The architect of South Africa’s historic chase was their captain, Aiden Markram. Shaking off a poor show in the previous match, Markram played the innings of his life, scoring a magnificent 110. His century was his fourth in the ODI format and showcased his ability to lead from the front under immense pressure [[28], [33]]. He was ably supported by half-centuries from Matthew Breetzke and the young sensation Dewald Brevis, who ensured there was no collapse after Markram’s dismissal .
What Does This Mean for the Final ODI?
With the series now perfectly poised at 1-1, all eyes will be on the final ODI, scheduled for December 6th in Chennai . This winner-takes-all clash promises to be an epic showdown. India will be looking to bounce back from this demoralizing loss, while South Africa, riding high on confidence from their Raipur heroics, will be eager to claim a series victory on Indian soil. The momentum has clearly shifted, and the pressure is now on the home team to deliver.
Conclusion
The second ODI between India vs South Africa will be remembered as a classic example of why cricket is the ultimate sport of drama and resilience. While Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s centuries were a sight to behold, they were ultimately in vain thanks to Aiden Markram’s sheer brilliance. As the teams head to Chennai for the decider, fans can expect another nail-biting encounter full of passion, skill, and high stakes. Who will lift the series trophy? The final chapter is yet to be written.
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