Kohli, Gaikwad tons in vain as South Africa level series with record chase

Virat Kohli's second successive ODI hundred and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden century both went in vain as South Africa pulled off a record chase to level the ODI series against India.

- 

The three-match series is now level at one-a-piece (BCCI)

Riding on the two hundreds and KL Rahul's quickfire 66 not out, India posted 358/5. South Africa then came up with a collective batting effort - led by Aiden Markram's ton and fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Brevis - as they got over the line in the final over with four wickets in hand. The successful chase of 359 was the joint-highest in an ODI against India, alongside Australia's effort in 2019 in Mohali.

India lost a review in the opening over when Markram was struck on the pad by Arshdeep Singh. Quinton de Kock, returning as opener for this game, got going with a boundary in the same over. Markram then struck three fours off Harshit Rana, while de Kock added another boundary to his tally before falling to Arshdeep. Temba Bavuma, back in the XI in place of Ryan Rickelton, put together a steady stand with Markram, who struck a six off Prasidh Krishna, to keep South Africa moving. The opener reached a 52-ball fifty and enjoyed a slice of luck in the 18th over when Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to hold an overhead catch off Kuldeep Yadav, tipping it over the ropes as South Africa crossed 100.