Follow UsIndia managed to escape the inevitable in Ranchi, but in Raipur, despite scoring more than they did in Ranchi, the loss couldn’t be avoided in the Chhattisgarh's capital on December 3 (Wednesday). This loss led to the equalling of the series with all to play for in Visakhapatnam.
KL Rahul, the Indian captain, was not happy with certain things, which led to the visiting side taking advantage of the home team and beating them all in the end.
“I'm kicking myself about losing two tosses in a row. There's always things that we could have done better,” Rahul said in the post-match presentation ceremony after the second ODI was won by South Africa.
“We also gave away a few soft runs on the field. If we can tighten up all three aspects of the game and get a bit sharper, then maybe those 20–25 runs will go our way,” added the Indian captain.
Rahul also had a wish from the lower order of the Indian batting. He said, “If the lower order could contribute a little bit more and hit a couple more boundaries, then maybe that's the 20 runs that we would have been happier.”
Aiden Markram, the Proteas vice captain and opening batter, who scored a century and who was named Player of The Match, talked about missing out in Ranchi and how he was happy with the win in Raipur.
“If you kick on into the 70s, the outcome could easily be different. Tonight, under lights, the wicket had a bit more pace and swing, so the plan was to get in, find some rhythm, and then push on from there,” Markram said.
Match winning captain Temba Bavuma, who did not play the first ODI, was happy with the way things panned out in the second game.
“I'm happy to have crossed the line. Coming into this game, we were thinking of how we could get better with the ball. I think with the ball, there are more conversations that we could have. But with the bat, definitely better up front with the top three,” he said.
“The partnerships. Aiden and Breetzke carried on with his form and Bosch showed a lot of maturity there. Finishing also, better showing from us. Unbelievable game,” added the 35-year-old.
The two teams will be up against each other in the winner-take-it call contest in Visakhapatnam as the series is now squared 1-1.