India skipper KL Rahul mentioned his facet wanted to be sharper in key moments however felt the toss performed a decisive position within the residence group’s four-wicket loss to South Africa within the second ODI in Raipur on Tuesday.
Requested to bat first, India rode on centuries from Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls), his 53rd ODI hundred, and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls), who notched up his maiden ton within the format, to submit an imposing 358 for 5.
South Africa, nevertheless, gunned down the goal with exceptional authority, ending at 362 for six in 49.2 overs, courtesy an excellent century from Aiden Markram (110) and fifties from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54).
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“Not likely (a troublesome one to swallow) given how a lot dew there may be and the way troublesome it’s to bowl within the second innings,” Rahul mentioned on the post-match presentation after dropping the toss for the second straight sport within the collection.
“Thought we did properly within the final sport. Right this moment the umpires had been good to vary the ball. Toss performs a giant position so I’m kicking myself (laughs).” Rahul admitted there have been areas the place India might have finished higher.
“With the bat, I do know that 350 seems to be good, however that has been the chat within the dressing room even after the final sport about how we will get the additional 20-25 runs to provide bowlers a cushion with the moist ball,” he mentioned.
The India skipper additionally praised Kohli and Gaikwad for his or her top-order brilliance.
“It was stunning to observe Rutu and the way in which he batted. Virat, we now have seen him do it 55 occasions, or 53. He simply goes about doing his job. It was stunning watching Rutu bat, the way in which he picked up the tempo after reaching his fifty.” For South Africa, the chase was their highest profitable run chase in ODIs in India, a indisputable fact that happy captain Temba Bavuma.
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“Comfortable to have crossed the road. Coming into this sport we had been all considering how can we get higher with the ball. There have been partnerships on the high, higher exhibiting from us, unbelievable sport, report chase and it reveals how properly we now have to play towards this Indian facet,” Bavuma mentioned.
“I attempted to construct a partnership with Aiden, attempt to take the sport deep and it was all in regards to the partnerships. The ploy to ship Brevis early went in our favour. We will take loads of confidence with this win.” He added that intense competitors for locations is driving the group ahead.
“The fellows who’re listed below are the very best, there’s a excessive stage of competitors for positions, the batters know they must be at their finest. Performances like these do good for our confidence.”
Printed on Dec 03, 2025