Dive into the analysis of the IND vs SA 2nd ODI, a monumental encounter on Dec 3, 2025, where Aiden Markram’s 110 powered Captain Temba Bavuma’s side to a record-equaling chase of 359, leveling the series 1-1. We dissect the decisive turning points, bowling figures, and provide comprehensive global streaming guides for the series finale.
The Context: A High-Octane Series Levels Up
The second One Day International between India and South Africa, the IND vs SA 2nd ODI, played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, delivered one of the most thrilling and high-scoring results in recent memory. In a spectacular display of batting power, South Africa successfully chased down India’s imposing total of 358/5 to win by four wickets with four balls remaining in the 49.2 over. This stunning victory levels the three-match series at 1-1, ensuring a dramatic, winner-takes-all finale in Visakhapatnam.
- Joint-Highest Chase Against India: The pursuit of 359 ties the record for the highest total successfully chased against India in an ODI (matching Australia’s chase of 359 in Mohali in 2019).5
- Defensive Frailty: This defeat marked only the second time India has lost an ODI after scoring $350$ runs or more, confirming a critical flaw in their bowling attack when defending vast totals.
- Three Centuries: The match featured three individual centuries—Virat Kohli (102), Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), and Aiden Markram (110).6
Match Summary and Captaincy Breakdown
| Detail | India (IND) | South Africa (SA) |
| Final Score | 358/5 (50 ov) | 362/6 (49.2 ov) |
| Captain | KL Rahul (Stand-in) | Temba Bavuma (Official Captain) |
| Result | Lost by 4 wickets | Won by 4 wickets |
| Player of the Match | N/A | Aiden Markram (110 runs) |
India’s Innings: Centuries Set the Stage
India, forced to bat first after Temba Bavuma won the toss (extending India’s astonishing streak of losing 20 consecutive ODI tosses), posted a formidable total.
- Record Partnership: Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls, his 53rd ODI century) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, his maiden ODI ton) shared a pivotal 195-run partnership for the third wicket, confirmed as India’s highest-ever partnership against South Africa for any wicket.
- The Finish: Stand-in skipper KL Rahul (66* off 43 balls) provided the explosive late impetus, ensuring India reached a colossal total of 358/5.
South Africa’s Response: Markram Leads the Charge
South Africa’s chase of 359 was characterized by clinical aggression and deep batting resources.
Anchor: Vice-Captain Aiden Markram (110 off 98 balls) played a magnificent, controlling century—his first against India. He shared a crucial 100-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma (46).
Momentum Shift: Matthew Breetzke (68) and the dynamic Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls) took the attack to the Indian bowlers, sharing a rapid 92-run stand that dramatically reduced the required run rate.
The Finishers: Despite the loss of Markram and Brevis, the composure of Corbin Bosch (29* off 15 balls) and Keshav Maharaj (10* off 12 balls) guided the Proteas across the line with four balls to spare. Bosch hit the winning runs off Prasidh Krishna.
The Critical Turning Points
The momentum of the match swung decisively due to these key moments:
The Expensive Dropped Catch of Aiden Markram
Markram was dropped by fielder Yashasvi Jaiswal at the boundary rope when he was batting on 53 (some reports state the moment was earlier, on 25, which also resulted in a boundary, but 53 is often cited as the crucial drop before his century). This fielding error gifted Markram a second life, which he fully capitalized on to score his match-winning ton.
Heavy Dew and Ineffective Spin Control
The heavy dew in the second innings was a major obstacle for the Indian bowlers, particularly the spinners. Kuldeep Yadav’s highly expensive spell of 1/78 in 10 overs reflects the difficulty in gripping and controlling the wet ball, allowing South Africa to score freely in the middle overs.
India’s Slow Over-Rate Penalty
India was penalized for a slow over-rate, forcing them to field with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final two overs (49 and 50). This technical penalty severely compromised their ability to defend the boundaries when South Africa needed just 18 runs from 24 balls.
Bowling Analysis: India’s Defensive Flaws
The high economy rates, particularly in the later stages, underscored India’s defensive shortcomings in this high-pressure chase:
| Bowler (IND) | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Notes |
| Arshdeep Singh | 10 | 54 | 2 | 5.40 | Best economy; kept India in the game. |
| Prasidh Krishna | 8.2 | 79 | 2 | 9.60 | Highly expensive, conceded the winning runs. |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 10 | 78 | 1 | 7.80 | Struggled heavily with the dew factor and lack of control. |
| Harshit Rana | 10 | 70 | 1 | 7.00 | Took the key wicket of Markram but conceded runs at a high rate. |
| Washington Sundar | 7 | 47 | 0 | 6.71 | Unable to find a breakthrough, highlighting the lack of spin impact. |
Implications for the Series and Beyond
The outcome of the IND vs SA 2nd ODI has significant consequences:
- Series Finale: The series is now perfectly poised at 1-1, guaranteeing a thrilling, winner-takes-all decider on December 6th.
- India’s Strategy: The loss forces Indian management to critically evaluate their bowling composition and execution under dewy conditions. Relying solely on batting power is unsustainable.
- South Africa’s Statement: The victory, achieved through a successful record-equaling chase on foreign soil, provides a massive psychological boost and confirms South Africa’s deep batting order and tactical confidence.
Global Tournament Streaming Guide
The decisive 3rd ODI is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1:30 PM IST in Visakhapatnam.
| Country/Region | TV Broadcast | Live Streaming Platform |
| India | Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar / JioCinema |
| USA | Willow TV | Willow TV (Streaming) |
| UK & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket | Sky Go / NOW |
| Australia | Fox Sports / Fox Cricket | Kayo Sports |
| South Africa | SuperSport | DStv App |
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
Also read: IND vs SA 1st ODI Virat Kohli’s 52nd Century
