South Africa levels ODI series with four-wicket victory over India

South Africa evened the One-Day International series with a four-wicket victory over India in the second match, pulling off a successful chase in front of the thousands of spectators seated at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

India won the toss and chose to bat, and their decision paid off early. Openers got them off to a steady start before Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson took control of the innings. 

Kohli played a composed knock, reaching 102 from 93 deliveries, rotating the strike and punishing loose balls through the covers and midwicket. 

At the other end, Samson matched the pace, racing to 105 from 83 balls for his maiden ODI century. The pair built a large stand that pushed India beyond the 250 mark with plenty of overs to spare.

In the final stretch, Rinku Singh made full use of the final overs by smashing 66 not out from 43 balls. His late surge lifted India to a towering 358 for 5, a score that already looked like it could win the match for them.

South Africa’s reply began with intent. Reeza Hendricks played one of the finest innings of his ODI career, remaining at the crease for a long period and finding the fence regularly on his way to 110. 

He was well supported by Aiden Markram, who added 68, and Heinrich Klaasen, who chipped in with a vital 54 that kept the required rate under control.

India attempted to pull the game back with timely breakthroughs. Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh each picked up two wickets, breaking key partnerships in the middle overs.

For a brief period, the contest looked like it might tilt back in India’s favour, especially after Hendricks departed.

However, David Miller and Corbin Bosch held firm through the closing stages. Bosch, showing great awareness in his unbeaten 29, found boundaries at crucial moments and ran hard between the wickets. 

With the target rapidly shrinking, the pair calmly guided South Africa to the finish line, reaching the target with four balls remaining.

The victory leveled the series at 1–1 and set up a tense decider in the third match, scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 6.