Follow UsSouth Africa created history on December 3 (Wednesday) as they chased down the joint-highest total ever recorded on Indian soil in One-Day Internationals. The Temba Bavuma-led unit reached the target of 359 runs with four balls to spare and four wickets in their kitty at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur, to win the second ODI of the two-match series.
Although the target was equal to the highest ever chase in India in ODIs, South Africa never looked like they were not going to chase it. Even after losing Quinton de Kock a bit early, they continued to score at a brisk pace. With a 101-run stand between skipper Bavuma and Aiden Markram, the foundation for the chase was laid.
While Bavuma failed to convert his start and departed for 46, Markram went on to become the first Proteas opener in 10 years to achieve the rare feat of scoring a century against India in India. Apart from Bavuma, he had a brilliant 70-run stand with Matthew Breetzke, who took over the baton from him.
Despite Markram’s departure, the two young guns, Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, showed great composure to add 92 off just 64 balls for the fourth wicket. Once that partnership was built, India were pushed out of the game and there was no coming back for them.
In the end, even after both Brevis and Breetzke getting out and Marco Jansen following them, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj held their own to reach the target and remain alive in the two-match series.