Proteas opening batter Aiden Markram brought up his fourth ODI century in Raipur to lead South Africa to a series-levelling four-wicket victory against India on Wednesday as the visitors recorded their third-biggest run chase in ODI cricket.
Markram (106), after being under a bit of pressure as an opening batter, responded with a statement century in Raipur as he smashed India’s bowlers all around the park to bring up his fourth ODI ton. The 31-year-old struck ten boundaries and four sixes during his 30-over stay at the crease and put South Africa in a good position to chase the 359-run target.
The Proteas’ victory wasn’t without a bit of adversity, as they lost Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi due to injury, leaving the visitors with only eight wickets to chase down a mammoth total in a loud Raipur.
However, the true Proteas spirit came to life once again, as Corbin Bosch (29 not out) and Keshav Maharaj (10 not out) saw the Proteas to victory, levelling the series with one match remaining.
Earlier, Matthew Breetzke (68) brought up yet another half-century, his seventh 50-plus score including a 150 on debut. The 26-year-old timed his innings superbly, knocking the ball around for singles when required and taking the fight to the bowlers when the time was right. He struck five fours in his knock.
A very impressive batting performance from South Africa today. Markram, Breetzke, Brevis & Bavuma, take a bow 👏 #INDvSA
Massive respect to Tony de Zorzi for wanting to continue batting after pulling a hamstring. @IOLsport
— Ongama (@imongamagcwabe) December 3, 2025
Perhaps the masterstroke from the Proteas camp was to bat Dewald Brevis higher up the order. They moved the youngster from number six to number five, while pushing De Zorzi one position down the order. Brevis smashed a 35-ball 54, including five sixes and one four, as he combined with Breetzke for 92 runs for the fourth wicket.
Brevis’ knock took the pressure off De Zorzi and allowed the in-form batter to play his natural game until he was forced to return to the pavilion with what looked like a hamstring injury, with less than 30 runs required to win the match and more than four overs remaining.
Captain Temba Bavuma’s 46 off 48 also played a key role in the team’s victory as he put together 101 runs with Markram following Quinton de Kock’s (8) early exit.
India’s quick Arshdeep Singh (2/54) was the pick of the bowlers.
Earlier, the game’s most prolific one-day batter, India’s number three, Virat Kohli, laid yet another solid foundation for the hosts.
The 37-year-old used his feet superbly, coming down the wicket and across the crease to find boundaries consistently as he brought up his 53rd century in ODI cricket and his second of the series.
Kohli (102) struck seven boundaries and two sixes in his knock, and was impressively supported by Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), who brought up his maiden century.
The pair put together 195 runs for the third wicket before captain KL Rahul (66 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (24 not out) played an important hand in helping the hosts post a competitive 358/5.
South Africa’s quicks, Burger (1/43) and Lungi Ngidi (1/51), lacked control with the new ball up front and leaked runs. Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/63, while Maharaj (0/70), Bosch (0/79) and Markram (0/48) finished wicketless.
