Despite the noise surrounding a reportedly strained dressing-room atmosphere, India will look to put distractions aside and bank on the irresistible touch of Virat Kohli and the calming authority of Rohit Sharma as they chase a series-clinching victory against a gritty South Africa in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.
Kohli’s record-extending 52nd ODI hundred and Rohit’s brisk 57 had set the tone for India’s 17-run win in the Ranchi opener, although the bowlers were pushed deep into the contest by a spirited South African counterattack.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup drawing closer, both veterans find themselves under scrutiny, not just for form and fitness, but also amid chatter of rising tensions with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Their equation has become a major talking point, and indications are that the BCCI may eventually intervene to ease the situation.
On the field, however, Kohli and Rohit have delivered when it has mattered. Their back-to-back impact performances, including the commanding nine-wicket win over Australia in Sydney in October, underline their determination to be part of India’s long-term plans for the showpiece event in South Africa.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Gambhir have remained guarded about the veterans’ inclusion for the World Cup, a stance widely believed to be at the heart of the growing unease. But India’s challenges extend beyond off-field narratives.
The batting order appears unsettled. Ruturaj Gaikwad, prolific in domestic 50-over cricket, was moved from opening to No. 4 and looked less than assured in the unfamiliar role. Stand-in captain KL Rahul’s insistence on batting at No. 6 further complicates the balance.
Washington Sundar, long accustomed to being shuffled around the order, was sent in at No. 5 but fell during a sluggish middle passage. His bowling workload was minimal too, just three overs for 18 runs, raising questions about his role definition.
Harshit Rana’s bright opening spell, where he claimed two early wickets, was one of the notable positives. Yet his vulnerability at the death remains an area India urgently need to address, especially under the ICC’s revised regulation that allows only one ball, instead of two, from the 34th over onwards.
Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul (4/68) once again highlighted his match-winning ability. Even though he conceded runs, his variations proved decisive in keeping South Africa just out of reach.
The visitors, though, will draw confidence from their fightback. Reduced to 11/3, they roared back through Marco Jansen, who punished India with a blistering 70 off 39 balls, and debutant Matthew Breetzke, whose assured 72 anchored the recovery. Their long tail, powered by the dangerous Corbin Bosch, threatened to turn the tables late in the chase.
South Africa were without regular captain Temba Bavuma and key spinner Keshav Maharaj in the first ODI, both rested after the Test triumph. Their likely return adds further depth to the contest.
After the unfamiliar surface used for the second Test in Guwahati, the venue in Raipur offers limited historical reference. In the only ODI played here, in January 2023, India skittled New Zealand for 108 as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj extracted sharp movement. The hosts wrapped up a comfortable eight-wicket win with plenty of overs left. The lone T20I at this ground, against
Australia in December 2023, was also a modest-scoring game, with India defending 174/9 for a 20-run victory.
Teams (from):
India: KL Rahul (c&wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann (wk), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.