India’s imposing 358 in Raipur set the stage for one more high-intensity ODI battle, backed by centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. South Africa, bruised from the opening defeat, walked out chasing 359 with strain hanging over each over. India started strongly with fast strikes from Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna, however Aiden Markram steadied the guests with exceptional poise. His century not solely revived confidence but in addition reopened a chase many felt had slipped early. With wickets in hand and a rising tempo, the match entered a gripping center part the place each groups traded momentum.
IND vs SA, 2nd ODI: Aiden Markram’s masterful hundred retains South Africa within the hunt
Markram performed one in all his most interesting ODI innings underneath strain, crafting a composed but assertive century that stored South Africa firmly within the chase regardless of early setbacks, starting together with his flawless studying of lengths and crisp timing towards India’s powerplay seamers earlier than shifting seamlessly into counter-attacking mode as soon as he weathered the early testing spells, discovering boundaries by means of elegant cowl drives and authoritative pulls that compelled India to rethink their lengths, and as Temba Bavuma settled in alongside him.
The pair stitched a 101-run stand that neutralized India’s early vitality, with Markram mentioning his fifty off 52 balls earlier than accelerating sharply thereafter as he punished something even marginally quick or overpitched, reaching his century off simply 88 deliveries with ten fours and 4 towering sixes, turning Raipur’s once-quiet chase right into a rising risk, and even after Bavuma’s dismissal he continued to press ahead with Breetzke, pushing South Africa previous 197/3 by the 30-over mark, leaving India visibly involved as dew settled in and their spinners struggled for grip, making Markram’s knock the anchor, accelerator, and emotional centerpiece of South Africa’s fightback earlier than his eventual dismissal halted the momentum simply because the chase approached its most harmful part.
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IND vs SA, 2nd ODI: India maintain management however South Africa stay alive as chase enters ultimate part
Regardless of Markram’s century lifting the guests right into a aggressive place, India retained command of the general match scenario due to disciplined middle-overs management and sensible rotation of their bowlers, with Arshdeep’s early breakthrough of Quinton de Kock and Prasidh’s dismissal of Bavuma stopping South Africa from ever gaining uninterrupted dominance, whereas Harshit Rana’s tight traces restricted scoring throughout the temporary lull earlier than Markram’s acceleration, guaranteeing the required charge continued to climb steadily.
Earlier within the night by means of Kohli’s fluent 102, Gaikwad’s explosive 105 and KL Rahul’s fast-paced ending surge, the scoreboard strain remained monumental all through the chase, additional intensified as India’s fielders maintained sharpness and denied simple twos, and at the same time as Breetzke joined Markram to rebuild, the rising asking charge of practically 9 per over loomed closely over the Proteas, making a situation the place one quiet over may flip the match fully, which is exactly what occurred following Markram’s dismissal at 197, leaving South Africa needing nonetheless 157 off 106 balls with India’s demise specialists set to return, turning the competition right into a traditional backs-to-the-wall pursuit the place India maintain the sting however South Africa stay alive due to the inspiration laid by their captain’s glowing century.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Sure, the circumstances are nice for batting however that is a few of cleanest hanging you’ll see from Markram.
When on tune, Markram appears to be like like a world class participant.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) December 3, 2025
WOW… WOW… AND WOW! 😱🔥
What a sensational chase innings by Markram!
Cool as ice, but blazing with fireplace! 🥶
4th Odi hundred😱 third Century on this ongoing match
💥 #Markram #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/h6xS9WsPIn— Er.Rajiv (@Rajiv_siait) December 3, 2025
AIDEN MARKRAM Brings up a beautiful 💯!!! His first century opening the batting for SA in ODI’S!! What a gorgeous knock 🔥🔥🔥🔥#Cricketwitter #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/RnUYVnklFb
— Lawrence Bailey (@LawrenceBailey0) December 3, 2025
100 for Aden Markram properly deserved he’s been implausible right now 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🥳 #INDvRSA
— ISHMAEL 🏴☠️☠️🇿🇦🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@mr_shimmy) December 3, 2025
Effective knock by Markram. SA have carried out half of their job. The strain is on the Indian bowlers to make this a decent contest by chipping in with wickets at common intervals.
— Srikrishna 🏏🏀 (@1998Srikrishna) December 3, 2025
Markram smashing Jadeja. Huge second within the sport. After which the hundred, pure class 👏👏 #INDvSA
— Shubh Agarwal (@shubh_chintak) December 3, 2025
Markram’s hard-hit century has turned the strain on India to defend an imposing 358. South Africa’s never-say die angle and ambition has harried India within the Assessments and ODIs too
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 3, 2025
Hundred Up! 💯
Aiden Markram brings up an excellent century! 👏
Energy, persistence, and precision! A world-class innings at a vital stage of the run chase. 💥🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/2pgP2K4JNu
— Proteas Males (@ProteasMenCSA) December 3, 2025
Marvellous century Markram 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/pnmoRJdy7y
— Werner (@Werries_) December 3, 2025
A 88-ball century for Aiden Markram in Raipur.#cricket #INDvSA #2ndODI pic.twitter.com/ZDeT6kjS9y
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 3, 2025
Additionally READ: Virat Kohli’s 53rd ODI century: Anushka Sharma reacts after India legend steals the show in Raipur – IND vs SA
