Ind vs SA 2nd ODI excitement is deafening. Following a thrilling, high-scoring victory in the series opener, India heads into the second match with a crucial 1-0 lead, ready to take on a desperate South African side. This isn’t just another game; it’s a series decider for the Men in Blue, who are eager to lock up the trophy. The stage is set at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. South Africa must find a way to win or watch their ODI tour end in disappointment.
Teams Playing and Tournament Context
The context of this three-match series has flipped completely since the Test matches. India, wounded from a Test series defeat, found their groove instantly in the 50-over format, largely thanks to the stellar performances of their returning veterans.
- India: Currently leading 1-0. The team is riding high on the confidence of a 349-run total in the first ODI, anchored by a superb century. The challenge for Captain KL Rahul now is ensuring the bowling unit, which was tested severely by the Proteas’ late-order resurgence, can deliver a more disciplined performance, especially considering the potential for heavy dew.
- South Africa: Under immense pressure to level the series. Despite a disastrous start at 11/3 in the first match, the character shown by Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch in the chase was exceptional. They need their top order to finally click and give them a strong foundation. The potential inclusion of their regular captain, Temba Bavuma, could provide the much-needed stability they lacked up front.
This match is a clear test of momentum against desperation.
Head-to-Head Records: The History of Ind vs SA
The cricketing rivalry between these two nations is legendary, with the historical ledger giving a slight, but shrinking, edge to the visitors.
| Record | India (IND) | South Africa (SA) | Total Matches |
| Wins | 41 | 51 | 95 (3 No Result) |
While South Africa holds the overall edge in total victories, recent history tells a different story. India has dominated the Proteas in the last few years, particularly on home soil, winning four out of the last five ODIs between the sides. For the Ind vs SA 2nd ODI, this recent dominance at home gives India a huge psychological advantage as they aim to improve their overall win ratio.
Key Players to Watch in the Ind vs SA 2nd ODI
The outcome of this high-stakes contest will ultimately be decided by individual brilliance.
India’s Pillars of Dominance
- Virat Kohli (The Master Pacer): Coming off his 52nd ODI century (135 off 120 balls), Kohli is arguably in the form of his life in the 50-over format. His ability to anchor the innings and then shift gears in the death overs is India’s most valuable asset. South Africa knows that getting him early is non-negotiable.
- Rohit Sharma (The Record Breaker): The opener is striking the ball with freedom, having just surpassed the record for the most ODI sixes. His quick-fire 57 in the first match provided the launchpad for the massive total. A destructive start from Rohit is crucial for unsettling the Proteas’ bowling plans.
- Kuldeep Yadav (The Wrist Spinner): His four wickets in the first match, including the crucial dismissals of Breetzke and Jansen, proved decisive in breaking the back of the chase. On a potentially slower Raipur surface, his variations and ability to turn the ball will be vital, especially in the middle overs.
South Africa’s Game Changers
- Matthew Breetzke (The Anchor): Breetzke has been highly impressive, scoring a composed 72 in the opener. He is the technical backbone of the South African top order and holds the key to building a competitive total. He must convert his start into a truly big score.
- Marco Jansen (The X-Factor All-Rounder): Jansen is a threat with both bat and ball. He picked up two wickets and then smashed a brilliant 70 off just 39 balls, showcasing his raw power. His pace and bounce with the ball, coupled with his late-order fireworks, make him the most dangerous player on the Proteas side.
- Nandre Burger (The Left-Arm Quick): Burger’s left-arm pace adds variety and wicket-taking ability. His 2/65 in the first ODI showed his potential. South Africa needs him to deliver a tight and threatening spell to keep India’s power-packed top order in check.
Pitch and Weather Conditions in Raipur
The Ind vs SA 2nd ODI moves to a venue that offers a different tactical challenge than Ranchi.
Pitch Report
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium is historically considered a sporting wicket.
- Venue History: Only one ODI has been played here previously (India vs New Zealand in 2023), which was a low-scoring affair where fast bowlers found early purchase, reducing the opposition to a low total before the team batting second won comfortably.
- Expectation: The pitch is likely to offer true bounce, encouraging batsmen to play shots, but also providing some grip for spinners and offering the seamers something with the new ball. A par score is expected to be in the 300-320 range, suggesting another high-scoring contest is on the cards.
Weather Forecast and the Dew Factor
The weather on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, is predicted to be clear and bright with temperatures around 23-25oC.
- The Big Concern: As with most day-night matches in India at this time of year, dew is a significant factor. The surface is likely to get wet in the evening, making the ball slippery for bowlers. This means the team that wins the toss will almost certainly elect to chase, believing the conditions will favor the batting side under lights.
Match Timings and Where to Watch: Ind vs SA 2nd ODI
For fans around the world, here are the key start times and broadcasting details for the Ind vs SA 2nd ODI:
Global Start Times
All times are for Wednesday, December 3, 2025
| Country/Region | Local Time (Start) | Time Zone |
| India (Host) | 1:30 PM (13:30) | IST |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 8:00 AM (08:00) | GMT |
| United States (USA) | 3:00 AM (03:00) | ET (Eastern Time) |
| Australia (East Coast) | 7:00 PM (19:00) | AEDT |
Note: The match is a Day/Night fixture starting in the afternoon in India. For North American audiences (USA/Canada), the match starts in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Broadcasting Platforms
| Region | TV Telecast | Live Streaming |
| India | Star Sports Network | Jio Hotstar app and website |
| United States (USA) | Willow TV | Fubo |
Don’t have a streaming device yet? Here are the best options for watching cricket:
Google TV Streamer 4K (Google Chromecast)
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player
Who Will Win the Ind vs SA 2nd ODI?
The Proteas are desperate, dangerous, and capable of a huge comeback, as their lower-order proved. However, India holds the mental edge and the home advantage.
- The Proteas are desperate, dangerous, and capable of a huge comeback, as their lower-order proved. However, India holds the mental edge and the home advantage.
- outh Africa’s Route to Victory: They need a much-improved start from their top four, minimizing the damage from India’s quicks, and a disciplined performance from their experienced spinners (especially if Maharaj returns) in the middle overs.
- India’s Advantage: India’s batting depth and the current form of Virat Kohli are simply too strong. Even if they lose the toss and have to bat first, they have the firepower to post a total that puts the chasing side under immense pressure, making the chase a tough task even with the dew. The combination of early wickets from their pacers and spin control from Kuldeep Yadav is likely to prove decisive.
Prediction: India to Win the Ind vs SA 2nd ODI.
Reasoning: While the dew factor is a great equalizer, India’s momentum and their ability to execute under pressure—evidenced by their tight win in the opener—makes them the favorites. They have the capability to exploit the early movement in Raipur and, crucially, possess the batsmen to post a winning total regardless of whether they bat first or second, allowing them to seal the series 2-0.
