Markram Masterclass: South Africa Breaks Records in Thrilling 359-Run Heist
Summary: A historic setback for India! Despite witnessing their first pair of twin centuries (Virat Kohli's 102 and Ruturaj Gaikwad's 105) in an ODI chase, the massive 359-run target was eclipsed by Aiden Markram's epochal 110. South Africa's clinical execution, powered by Brevis and Bosch's late blitz, secured a monumental 4-wicket victory, setting up a tantalizing series decider.
Twin Centuries in Vain! Aiden Markram Scripts History as South Africa Executes Record-Breaking 359-Run Chase, Stunning India in Raipur Thriller
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur played host to an ODI for the ages, witnessing a seismic shift in momentum as South Africa achieved one of their most significant run-chases ever. The thrilling 4-wicket victory over India tied the series 1-1, but more importantly, exposed potential vulnerabilities in India's bowling attack under pressure.
The Indian Batting Showcase: A Statistical Feat
South Africa's decision to bowl first after winning the toss initially backfired spectacularly. The Indian innings was a statistical marvel, headlined by the majestic partnership between Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad's fluent 105 off 83 balls provided the early impetus, showcasing controlled aggression.
However, the innings reached its peak with Kohli's 102 (93 balls), a vintage display of pacing that marks his continued dominance in the format. This match etched itself into the record books: it was the first time in an ODI where India had two batsmen score centuries in a game they went on to lose while batting first, and only the second time overall in their ODI history that two batsmen crossed the triple-figure mark.
Captain KL Rahul provided the final, crucial surge, smashing 66 not out off 43 balls at a striking rate of 153.49, propelling India to a gargantuan 358/5.
Aiden Markram's Epochal Answer: The Record Chase
The target of 359 was monumental, yet the Proteas approached it with calculated bravery. While Quinton de Kock fell early to Arshdeep Singh, the middle-order partnerships were clinical. Matthew Breetzke (68) and Captay Temba Bavuma (46) expertly absorbed the pressure.
But the cornerstone of this historic chase was Aiden Markram. Playing a captain's knock, Markram's 110 off 98 balls blended aggression and composure, repeatedly punishing loose deliveries and ensuring the required run rate stayed within reach. The true acceleration came from the young dynamic duo: Dewald Brevis, who blazed 54 off 34 balls with five maximums, and the finishing masterclass by Corbin Bosch 29* off 15 balls.
South Africa completed the chase in the final over (49.2), ending on 362/6. Markram, the Player of the Match, rightly earned praise for his leadership and batting execution.
Where India Faltered
While India's total was exceptional, the bowling department struggled severely, particularly the pace attack. Prasidh Krishna conceded 85 runs at an economy rate of 10.20 in his 8.2 overs, highlighting the pressure the bowlers were under. Despite two wickets apiece for Arshdeep and Prasidh, the inability to consistently choke the flow of runs proved fatal on a high-scoring pitch. The final ODI in Visakhapatnam will now be an acid test for India’s death-overs bowling strategy.
The Grand Finale
The series now hangs in the balance. The final ODI decider in Visakhapatnam on December 6th at 1:30 PM local time promises a gripping finale between two evenly matched teams.
Keywords: Aiden Markram Century Record, IND vs RSA 2nd ODI Analysis, 359 Run Chase History, Kohli Gaikwad Twin Hundreds, Series Decider Visakhapatnam
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