Kohli, Gaikwad tons in vain as SA level series with record chase

Virat Kohli's second successive ODI hundred and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden century both went in vain as South Africa pulled off a record chase to level the ODI series against India. India posted 358/5, powered by the two hundreds and KL Rahul's quick-fire 66 not out. South Africa responded with a collective batting effort, led by Aiden Markram's ton and fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, to win in the final over with four wickets in hand. The successful chase of 359 is the joint-highest in an ODI against India, matching Australia's effort in Mohali in 2019.

South Africa's Chase

South Africa's innings began steadily. Aiden Markram, who was given a reprieve on 52 when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a catch at deep mid-wicket, anchored the chase. He built partnerships with Quinton de Kock (23), Temba Bavuma (46), and Matthew Breetzke. Markram reached his first ODI hundred as an opener off 87 balls.

The hosts faced challenges with dew and a wet ball, but South Africa's middle order accelerated. After Markram fell for 110, the Breetzke-Brevis partnership added 50 runs in just 39 balls. Breetzke scored his second successive fifty, while Brevis reached a 33-ball half-century.

South Africa lost momentum briefly, slipping from 289/3 to 311/6, with Brevis, Breetzke, and Marco Jansen falling in quick succession. Tony de Zorzi also retired hurt with a hamstring issue. However, Donovan Bosch (38*) and Keshav Maharaj (10*) held their nerve, scoring the required 27 runs off the last 30 balls to seal the win with four balls to spare.

India's Innings

After being asked to bat, India lost Rohit Sharma (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (28) early. Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad then rebuilt the innings with a 138-run partnership. Both batters reached half-centuries, taking India past 150 by the 25th over.

Gaikwad accelerated after his fifty, racing to 92 off 75 balls before completing his maiden ODI century (105 off 94 balls). Kohli provided steady support, scoring his 101st international hundred (102 off 95 balls). After both centurions fell, KL Rahul's unbeaten 66 off 42 balls, including a 33-ball fifty, propelled India to 358/5.

Key Moments

• Dropped Catch: Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped Aiden Markram on 52 in the 18th over.
• Injury Impact: South Africa's Tony de Zorzi retired hurt; India's Nandre Burger left the field with a hamstring issue after bowling just one ball in his sixth over.
• Death Bowling: India's bowlers struggled in the final overs, with South Africa needing 48 off the last 42 balls and successfully chasing them down.

Brief scores:
India 358/5 in 50 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, Virat Kohli 102, KL Rahul 66*; Marco Jansen 2-63)
South Africa 359/6 in 49.2 overs (Aiden Markram 110, Matthew Breetzke 68, Dewald Brevis 54; Arshdeep Singh 2-54)
South Africa won by 4 wickets