In a stunning reversal of a familiar script, a Virat Kohli century ended in a rare defeat for India as South Africa pulled off a thrilling chase to win the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday. The four-wicket loss leveled the three-match series 1-1.
A Landmark Knock in a Losing Cause
Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 358 for 5, built on the back of a magnificent 195-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Kohli, in sublime touch, scored 102 runs off just 93 deliveries, marking his 53rd ODI century and his second consecutive hundred in the series. His innings was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes.
This landmark ton also made him the first batter in history to score seven or more ODI centuries against four different teams: Sri Lanka, West Indies, Australia, and now South Africa. At the other end, Ruturaj Gaikwad announced himself with his maiden ODI hundred, a composed 105.
History Repeats: South Africa's Record Chase
Despite the mountain of runs, history repeated itself for India. South Africa, mirroring Australia's chase of 359 in Mohali back in 2019, successfully hunted down the target with four balls to spare. The victory marked the joint-highest successful run-chase ever recorded against India in ODI cricket.
The Proteas' chase was anchored by a brilliant 110 off 98 balls from captain Aiden Markram. He received solid support from Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, and Dewald Brevis. Corbin Bosch applied the finishing touches, hitting the winning boundary to remain unbeaten on 29.
An Unwanted Statistic Revived
The defeat revived an unwanted and long-dormant statistic for the Indian team. The last time India lost an ODI match despite a century from Virat Kohli was on March 8, 2019, in Ranchi, against Australia. Before the Raipur match, India had remained undefeated for 2,462 days in ODIs where their former captain scored a hundred, a streak encompassing 11 centuries.
This loss also marked the first time in eight years that India failed to defend a total despite a Kohli century, the previous instance being against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in 2017. Overall, this was Kohli's ninth ODI century in a losing cause.
The year 2025 continues to be a prolific one for the batting maestro, who has now scored 586 runs in 12 innings with three centuries and three fifties, climbing to fourth position in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings.
With the series tantalizingly poised at 1-1, all eyes now turn to the decisive third and final ODI.
