The home side looked in command after posting a formidable 358 for five in their second ODI against South Africa — thanks largely to centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Kohli delivered a well-compiled 102 off 93 balls, while Gaikwad marked his maiden ODI hundred with a dynamic 105 off just 83 deliveries.
Despite this, what looked like a match-winning total became irrelevant when South Africa’s batsmen staged a remarkable chase — finishing at 362 for six in 49.2 overs.
So, while India’s innings featured flair and aggression at the top, a combination of unfortunate circumstances and lapses under pressure meant the target ultimately proved insufficient.
Dew, the Toss — and a “Kicking Myself” Moment
Post-match, captain KL Rahul was quick to point out that external conditions played a major role. He said, “Not really, considering how much dew there is and how difficult it is to bowl in the second innings.” He admitted that despite the umpires replacing the ball, the moisture made bowling extremely challenging. As he put it bluntly: “Toss plays a big role, so I’m kicking myself.”
Losing the toss meant India had to bat first — and in hindsight, that decision backfired heavily. The heavy dew in the evening rendered grip and control almost impossible for the bowlers, sapping away every advantage a 350-plus total would normally carry. As one analysis put it, the dew made the ball behave like “a bar of soap,” sliding onto the bat and making both swing and spin nearly impossible.
Missed Cushion & Costly Fielding Errors
Rahul conceded that even though 350 is generally a competitive score, there was awareness in the dressing room about needing “that extra 20–25 runs to give bowlers some cushion when bowling with the wet ball.” Had India added a few more runs, the pressure on South Africa’s chase might have increased significantly.
Beyond that, fielding — affected by slippery conditions — wasn’t sharp enough. India dropped catches and allowed misfields at critical moments, offering reprieves to set batsmen like Aiden Markram, who capitalised with a brilliant century.
In the end, even 358 runs — a total that often wins matches — proved inadequate. The combination of a lost toss, oppressive dew, and error-ridden fielding turned what should have been a solid win into a humbling defeat. For India, and Rahul especially, it was a case of “what-ifs” and missed opportunities.
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