South Africa chase down 359, set up exciting series decider

Aiden Markram's 98-ball 110 and brilliant fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis powered South Africa to a four-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at Raipur on Wednesday.

- AGENCIES

With this win, the series is level at 1-1.

After centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 in 83 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes) and Virat Kohli (102 in 93 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and a half-century from skipper KL Rahul (66* in 43 balls, with six fours and two sixes) took India to 358/5, Markram responded with a classy 98-ball 110, with 10 fours and four sixes and got brilliant support from Breetzke (68 in 64 balls, with five fours) and Brevis (54 in 34 balls, with a four and five sixes).

Some sloppy fielding, catch drops and a poor spell of 8.2 overs by pacer Prasidh Krishna in which he conceded 82 runs, became the point of difference.

During the run-chase of 359 runs, Proteas looted a flurry of boundaries in the first three overs, including three by Aiden Markram in Harshit Rana's second over.

However, the promising stand was cut short at 26 runs, with Washington Sundar taking the catch and Arshdeep Singh getting QDK's wicket for just eight runs in the fifth over.

Skipper Temba Bavuma came at number three, and the duo took SA to the 50-run mark in 9.4 overs.