Why IND Lost to SA in the 2nd ODI of South Africa tour of India 2025: 3 Key Reasons Behind the Defeat

India breathed a huge sigh of relief once KL Rahul left the field after scoring a blistering hundred as India finished posting an enormous 358/5 in Raipur. Virat Kohli scored another classic hundred, Ruturaj Gaikwad eventually capitalised on his start to score a large one, and Rahul was the showstopper at the end of it all; it seemed like India had sealed it, and it felt like India had wrapped it up. But as we often see in this cruel world of cricket, cricket is about playing on 22 yards of hard ground, and not about what you write down on paper. 

The Pace Attack’s Generosity: Prasidh Krishna’s Expensive Outing

Don’t beat about the bush, you can’t have a valid case for defending 358 when your top order pacer is consistently delivering balls that are begging to be hit. Although Arshdeep Singh did a great job at keeping things under wraps from his end (2/54 with an economy of 5.40), he was the buffer against a deluge on the opposite end as far as the pressure relief valve was concerned. Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, had a night to forget after conceding a whopping 85 runs off only 8.2 overs, giving him an economy rate of 10.20 in a match where the required run rate was slightly above 7.

With a cushion of 350+, the bowler’s role is to be disciplined, not magical. However, both Krishna as well as a flailing Harshit Rana, who was charged 70, were unable to achieve consistency in length. As a result, they continually provided Aiden Markram and then later Matthew Breetzke with widths, which allowed South Africa to obtain boundary balls at will when the required run rate threatened to increase. Ultimately, the failure to produce tight overs in clusters prevented South Africa from feeling the scoreboard pressure, transforming a long shot, or mountain, chase into an easier hike.

The Aiden Markram Masterclass and the ‘Baby AB’ Cameo

Aiding to make the wound (India’s bowling) worse was Aiden Markram’s salt as he put together a masterful 110 from 98 deliveries for a top-class inning that controlled the run chase. When Quinton de Kock departed early in his career, Markram did not lose his cool as he formed partnerships with Bavuma and the middle order. Markram also eliminated the Indian spinning threat by effectively using sweeps and drives on both sides of the pitch.

Brevis changed everything when he arrived at the crease, just as India were sensing an opportunity following Markram’s dismissal, when he promptly indicated that he needed to catch a flight. The 54 of 34 deliveries that followed by Brevis was a savage and lovely interruption. Brevis hit five sixes and destroyed Kuldeep Yadav, who uncharacteristically gave away 78 runs. He also broke the back of the Indian fielding team, which collapsed quickly under his onslaught. Brevis’s blitz transformed the equation from “challenging” to “the chase is going to be extremely close to run-a-ball”, and destroyed the morale of the Indian team in the middle overs.

A Lack of Clinical Finishing and “Extra” Problems

The batting did its part. However, the bowling unit’s lack of finishers’ mentality became clear. At the end of the game, when South Africa required calmness, it was India who provided extras and panicked. The bowling unit gave away eleven wides and one no-ball. Those twelve to eighteen additional runs (including leg byes) in a game going down to the final over is equivalent to giving the opposition an additional two to three overs.

In addition, India also could not complete the end of the innings. After Marco Jansen went out, South Africa required many runs; however, he and Corbin Bosch (29 * / 15) were able to contribute to a game-winning cameo. The fielding in the deeper areas was slow, as the strategic decisions from the captaincy unit appeared to be reactionary instead of proactive. In total, they did not take one wicket each in their combined 11 overs. Given the nature of the batsmen’s paradise this was, there was no way for the Indian team to recover after failing to take wickets in the middle of the innings.

FAQs

Who was the Player of the Match in the 2nd IND vs SA ODI?

Aiden Markram was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 110 runs off 98 balls.

How many centuries were scored in the IND vs SA 2nd ODI?

There were three centuries scored in total: Virat Kohli (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) for India, and Aiden Markram (110) for South Africa.

Who were the most expensive bowlers for India in the 2nd ODI?

Prasidh Krishna was the most expensive, conceding 85 runs in 8.2 overs, followed by Kuldeep Yadav, who gave away 78 runs in his 10-over spell.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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