South Africa won the second ODI and three-match series against India, chasing down 287 with seven wickets to spare.

In the second of three ODIs between India and South Africa, India won the toss and elected to bat. In hot conditions, the Indian batters were off to a flyer, as South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Sisanda Magala, struggled to find their rhythm in the initial stages of the innings.

India’s opening partnership of 63 runs was broken by Aiden Markram, who, as South Africa’s sixth bowling option, has made it a habit of providing the team with crucial top-order breakthroughs. In the previous ODI, Markram had dismissed Indian captain, KL Rahul. Soon after, Keshav Maharaj was in the wickets, dismissing Virat Kohli for 0. Rishabh Pant was promoted to bat at 4, and along with KL Rahul, stitched an important partnership of 115-runs.

KL Rahul was out for a well-played 55 off 79 balls. Pant was dismissed in the next over for a scintillating 85 off 71 deliveries by premier spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi. South Africa continued chipping away at India’s batting order, stifling the scoring rate and picking regular wickets. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer were dismissed in quick succession.

It took an excellent rebuilding effort from Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin, who finished off the innings with a 48-run partnership to take India to 287 in 50 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi was South Africa’s pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets and conceding 57 runs in 9 overs. Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj, and Andile Phehlukwayo took one wicket each.

Chasing 288 runs, South Africa started aggressively, with Quinton de Kock and Jaaneman Malan looking to take advantage of the new ball. De Kock straight drive off Jasprit Bumrah in the first over of the second innings illustrated his intentions, as he attacked everything the Indian bowlers threw at him. Ravichandran Ashwin created a stumping opportunity, but Rishabh Pant was unable to capitalize on it. Ultimately, Shardul Thakur dismissed de Kock for 78 off 66 deliveries to break the 132-run opening partnership.

Jaaneman Malan maintained South Africa’s momentum in partnership with Temba Bavuma who looked in fine form. Malan played pace and spin convincingly, constructing an important 91 off 108 balls that ensured that South Africa were always on track to win the game.

Bavuma contributed with a useful 35 off 36 balls. Finally, Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen built a 74-run partnership that sealed a series victory for South Africa. Markram, under pressure to score runs in the ODI format, composed an unbeaten 37 off 41 balls, and van der Dussen scored an unbeaten 37 off 38 balls. Both batters rotated strike well and dispatched loose deliveries to the boundary. At no stage was the run rate ever allowed to spiral out of control.

At the end of the first ODI, Temba Bavuma stated that South Africa almost played the perfect game. The team continued its form in the second ODI to ensure that they registered an important series win.

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