IND vs SA 2025-26, 2nd ODI: Kohli, Gaikwad tons go in vains; SA go level 1-1

IND vs SA 2025-26, 2nd ODI, Highlights: Kohli and Gaikwad hit brilliant tons, but South Africa level the series 1-1.

Brief Scores: India 358/5 (Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, Virat Kohli 102, Marco Jansen 2/63) lost to South Africa 362/6 (Aiden Markram 110, Matthew Breetzke 68, Arshdeep Singh 2/54) by 4 wickets.

Despite brilliant centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, India let a commanding position slip as South Africa completed a composed chase to win the second ODI in Raipur and level the series 1–1.  Kohli and Gaikwad’s 195-run stand powered India to 358/5, but the bowlers couldn’t capitalise, with misfields and missed chances only adding to the pressure under heavy dew.

Aiden Markram’s classy hundred, followed by Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke and finally Corbin Bosch’s calm late cameo, turned the game firmly in the Proteas’ favour.

South Africa’s successful chase of 359 also went down as one of their highest run chases in ODI history, making the defeat even more disappointing for India. What looked like a match the Men in Blue should have closed out, instead slipped away, setting up a high-stakes series decider in Visakhapatnam.

Read More: IND vs SA 2025-26, 1st ODI: King Kohli’s golden run continues in Ranchi; India go 1-0 up

Talking Point: Washington Sundar may not be India’s apt all-round option
Washington Sundar is playing as an all-rounder. But in Indian conditions, especially when dew sets in, spinners naturally lose their impact. With Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav already in the XI, India don’t need another spinner; they need a pace-bowling all-rounder who can handle tough overs the way Hardik Pandya does.

Even today Kuldeep went for 78, showing how difficult it gets once the ball is wet. Sundar hasn’t made a noticeable impact with either bat or ball in both games, and India clearly need a stronger fourth fast-bowling option. If he continues to play, it should be purely as a spinner, not as the all-round solution India are searching for.

Virat Kohli & Ruturaj Gaikwad’s tons propel India to 358/5
India put up a commanding batting display in the second ODI at Raipur, posting a formidable 358/5. Despite losing Rohit Sharma for 14 and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 22, with just 62 on the board, the innings turned sharply through a brilliant 195-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gaikwad set the tone with a fluent maiden century, scoring 105 off 83 balls with clean strokeplay, while Kohli continued his golden run with a composed 102 off 93 deliveries. He extended his record to a 53rd ODI hundred, bringing up back-to-back centuries in the series.

The partnership put South Africa on the defensive, further worsened by Nandre Burger’s ankle injury that forced him off the field. After Kohli’s dismissal, KL Rahul provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 66 off 43 balls, ensuring India maintained momentum and closed on a commanding total.

What began as a shaky start ultimately transformed into a clinical, authoritative first-innings performance from the hosts.

Read More: Exclusive domain of Ro-Ko: They have given lease to ODI format two months ahead of a T20  World Cup

Aiden Markram leads SA’s charge to chase down 359
South Africa pulled off a well-controlled chase to reach 359 and level the series 1–1 in Raipur. Aiden Markram anchored the innings with a superb century, while Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke shifted the momentum with a rapid 92-run stand off 64 balls.

India stayed in the hunt through Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, who removed Brevis and Breetzke to open up the game. But Corbin Bosch held firm under pressure, scoring a crucial 29 off 15 balls. Even though Tony de Zorzi retired hurt late in the chase, Bosch calmly levelled the scores in the final over before sealing victory with a straight boundary.

Statistical Highlights from IND vs SA, 2nd ODI, 2025

• Starting November 19, 2023 India have lost 20 tosses in succession in ODIs.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal got dismissed for the 16th time against left-arm pace in international cricket. Significantly, he averages only 23 against this type of bowling in international cricket, as against 43.62 against right-arm pace.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad brought up his second fifty-plus score in ODIs.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad brought up his maiden ODI hundred, his 18th List A century.
• Virat Kohli & Ruturaj Gaikwad added 195 runs for the third wicket. This is now the highest third wicket partnership for India against South Africa in ODIs.
• Virat Kohli brought up his 53rd ODI hundred.
• It is the 36th time for India in ODIs that at least two of the top 4 batters have scored hundreds in the same innings.
• India’s total of 358-5 is their second-highest team score against South Africa in ODIs.
• Aiden Markram (419) went past Temba Bavuma (356) to become the second-highest run-scorer for South Africa in ODIs this year. Matthew Breetzke (682) is the top run-getter for SA this year in the said format.

What’s next?
With South Africa leveling the series 1–1 after their fantastic win in Raipur, the final ODI in Visakhapatnam on December 6 now becomes the decider. Both teams will head into the last match with everything to play for. As India look to bounce back and seal the series, South Africa will aim to carry their momentum and complete a memorable away win.

Read More: Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma bring back zest into fans; What is their value beyond cricket for India?

Top Twitter Reactions from IND vs SA, 2nd ODI, 2025, Raipur

Absorbing contest, taut climax, SA prevailing in a marvellous run chase to level series. Haven’t let India breathe easy in red or white ball cricket!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 3, 2025

Even allowing for the conditions being in their favour, this was a magnificent run chase by South Africa. Some breathtaking shots by Markram and Brevis but I was mighty impressed by the calmness of Breetzke. And such a luxury to have a Bosch batting at 8.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 3, 2025

Playing his 8th match – Matched the great at the other end almost shot for shot for the entire knock. Goes to show what a talent Ruturaj Gaikwad is. Phenomenal control to bring up his maiden ODI ton. #IndvSA

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) December 3, 2025

Not the result we wanted but Virat and Rituraj were exceptional for their 💯’s & credit to SA for their run chase and Markram for laying a strong foundation and scoring a ton .#INDvSA 1-1

— MithunManhas5 (@MithunManhas) December 3, 2025

What an unbelievable start to Matthew Breetzke’s career. He hasn’t played a single game at home, and all seven of his half centuries have come away from home.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 3, 2025

Read More: Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma bring back zest into fans; What is their value beyond cricket for India?