Talking Points: SA's India streak, Kohli's charge and Ruturaj's reminder

South Africa's four-wicket win in Raipur levels the ODI series, giving them a genuine shot at winning it. With Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj back, the visitors overcame a wayward start with the ball and an average day in the field to chase down 359—the joint-highest successful ODI chase against India.

Here are the talking points from the game:

What made the difference?

India had two centurions; South Africa had one. India had a 195-run stand; South Africa's best was 101. But South Africa were relentless. India's next-best partnership was 69 for the sixth wicket off 54 balls, which kept them afloat but didn't let them cash in at the death, highlighting the need for a power-hitter lower down.

South Africa stitched together two fifty-plus stands to go with the century stand between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, keeping the chase on track all evening, aided by heavy dew.

Kohli continues to churn the hundreds out

53rd ODI hundred. 84th international hundred. In Raipur, he got off the mark with a pulled six off Lungi Ngidi, ran 45 singles, hit 7 fours and 2 sixes, and celebrated with youthful exuberance.

2027 World Cup? 100 international hundreds? One is on the cards, the other doesn't look impossible.

Ruturaj tons up… finally

Coming into this match, Ruturaj Gaikwad had 123 runs in seven innings, averaging 17.57, with a high score of 71 and five single-digit dismissals. Given two back-to-back ODIs, he needed no time to find his range. A 77-ball hundred, brought up with a pull, served as a reminder of his ability when allowed to settle. It also highlighted that he's not a natural No.4 and was preferred over Rishabh Pant in this XI.

India's toss drought continues

India last won an ODI toss in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. That's over two years ago. Going winless across 20 consecutive tosses is staggering. The probability of losing 20 tosses in a row is 1 in 1,048,576—about as unlikely as rolling a six eight times in a row.

South Africa's measured start

After being 11/3 chasing 350 in Ranchi, South Africa learned their lesson. In Raipur, Aiden Markram (who made his first century as an opener) and Temba Bavuma dialled back early aggression, adding 52 runs in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket after Quinton de Kock fell.

A century stand at just over a run a ball gave them the platform they lacked in Ranchi. Despite a late wobble with Dewald Brevis throwing away a start and Tony de Zorzi hobbling off, they had enough head start to complete the chase.

No field day for India in the middle

India's fielding was a string of small misfields. Aiden Markram was dropped on 53 by Yashasvi Jaiswal off Kuldeep Yadav. Barring a flying stop from Tilak Varma in the deep, there wasn't much to highlight. Defending a target with a wet ball, they needed something special but couldn't produce it.