IND vs SA 2nd ODI 2025: Kohli–Gaikwad Centuries Fail as Markram Leads South Africa to 4-Wicket Win

As an ardent Indian cricket fan, there are days when your heart races with hope and others when it sinks with heartbreak. Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — the 2nd ODI between India national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team at Raipur—was a roller-coaster of both emotions. From ecstatic cheers at two brilliant centuries to the crushing despair of a record chase slipping away, this match had it all. This blog explores every twist and turn of that dramatic contest — from India’s masterful batting to South Africa’s spirited fightback — and what it means for the series and for us fans.

IND vs SA 2nd ODI Match Score Summary

Team	Score	Result
India (1st innings)	358/5 (50 overs)	—
South Africa (2nd innings)	362/6 (49.2 overs)	Won by 4 wickets

With this win, South Africa leveled the 3-match ODI series 1–1.

India’s Innings: A Thunderous Start

After losing the toss — continuing a long streak of toss defeats in ODIs — India was asked to bat first.

Early wickets of openers made it shaky: Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 22 and Rohit Sharma managed only 14.
Then came the backbone — a blistering partnership between Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo stitched together a 195-run stand for the 3rd wicket — the highest by any Indian pair against South Africa in ODIs.
Kohli looked vintage: classy, assured and in control. He raced to his 53rd ODI century — 102 off 93 balls.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad, under pressure and growing scrutiny, answered back in style with his maiden ODI hundred, scoring 105 off 83 balls with aggression and timing that silenced critics.
After Gaikwad’s departure, the finisher at the crease was KL Rahul — unbeaten 66 off 43 balls, giving India the late flourish they needed to reach 358/5.

At one point, it felt like India had set up an insurmountable total. The crowd roared, the momentum was firmly on our side.

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The Kohli-Gaikwad Partnership & Centuries: A Fan’s Delight

Watching Kohli and Gaikwad bat together was poetry — especially when the onslaught started after early jitters. Kohli, with his precise timing and rhythm, looked in prime touch. Gaikwad, perhaps feeling the burden of expectation and past criticism, responded brilliantly — aggressive yet composed — to craft a memorable maiden ton. For fans, that 195-run partnership wasn’t just about runs, it was catharsis, confidence and a statement.

Kohli’s 102 reaffirmed why he remains the backbone of the Indian lineup, temperament, technique, hunger. As for Gaikwad — this knock could be the turning point, showing the world (and critics) that he belongs at the top level. Add KL Rahul’s finishing touch, and India’s 358 felt formidable.

South Africa’s Chase: Resilience, Resolve and Redemption

Chasing 359 under lights at Raipur is no small task. But the visitors, led by Aiden Markram, showed why they are dangerous to the very end.

Markram anchored the innings: a classy 110 off 98 balls, mixing caution and aggression, keeping one end intact and pacing his innings beautifully.
He found reliable support from captain Temba Bavuma (46) and a blazing knock by Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls), shifting momentum in favour of Proteas.
The Kiwi-style finishing touches — Matthew Breetzke (68) and late-collapse calm by Corbin Bosch (29*, finishing it) — ensured they chased it down with just 4 balls to spare.

Despite India’s massive total, South Africa refused to buckle — because sometimes, in ODI cricket, grit, partnerships and calm finishers can turn the tide.

What Went Wrong for India — And What This Loss Means

As a fan, it hurts. There are few moments more heartbreaking than watching two centuries and still losing. But looking objectively:

Maybe toss-loss again hurt — bowling under lights with evening dew, as Indian skipper KL Rahul pointed out post-match.
Perhaps bowlers couldn’t find early breakthroughs when it mattered: Markram and Bavuma stitched a solid base, then Brevis-Breetzke exploited the middle overs pressure.
And in modern ODI cricket, even 350+ — which was once considered a match-winning total — is no longer absolutely safe. Teams chase and in the right conditions, 360 becomes gettable.

For India, this loss — despite a powerhouse batting performance — serves as a caution: you win ODIs not just with bat, but with bowlers, strategy and nerves under pressure too.

My Personal View (As a Fan)

I celebrated like crazy when Kohli and Gaikwad reached their hundreds. I felt pride when Rahul smashed his fifty. I thought, “This one is ours.” I was ready to toast, to write about India’s dominance.

But cricket humbles you — sometimes harshly. Watching Markram calmly steer the chase, and then Brevis and Breetzke pummel the middle overs, I realised: it’s not just about batting records or massive totals. It’s about respect for the opponent, the never-say-die attitude, and the will to chase under pressure.

Yes — this loss stings. But as a fan, I also tip my hat to South Africa. They earned it today.

Conclusion

The 2nd ODI between India and South Africa will go down as one of those classic “batting-in-vain” days for Indian fans: two centuries, a mammoth total, yet defeat. But that’s modern cricket for you — unpredictable, thrilling, unforgiving.

For India, it’s a lesson — never underestimate the opposition, and never treat 350+ as a guarantee. For fans, it’s heartbreak but also hope: our batting looked electric, our top order deep. If bowlers can find their rhythm in the decider, we are still very much in the game.

Series now stands 1-1 — and the final ODI will decide it all. Bring it on!

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Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
PopNewsBlend is my way of blending personal journeys with meaningful stories — ones that inform, inspire, and keep you ahead of the curve. Everything I write comes from real observations, hands-on experiences, and a deep passion for understanding the world around us.