In the second ODI against South Africa national cricket team at Raipur, Kohli once again delivered brilliance. He scored a fluent 102, his 53rd ODI century and second in as many matches in the series. Alongside him, Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed a maiden ODI century (105), helping India post a formidable 358/5 — seemingly a match-winning total.
Yet, cricket had other plans. South Africa mounted a powerful chase, anchored by Aiden Markram’s 110 and bolstered by support from other batters. Despite the heroics with the bat, India’s total was chased down with four wickets and four balls to spare.
The significance: A rare blot on a near-mythic record
Before this defeat, whenever Kohli had scored an ODI century, India never lost. That pristine streak — spanning roughly seven years — stood as a testament to his match-winning aura.
This loss doesn’t diminish Kohli’s calibre — far from it. Rather, it illustrates a broader reality: even the finest individual performance can be undone if the opposition rises to the challenge and the collective fails to close out the match.
Where things went wrong for India
- Underestimated the chase: A target north of 350 always invites pressure, especially as batting conditions stayed favourable — and South Africa seized it.
- Bowling under pressure: Despite a competitive innings from India’s batters, defending such a score demanded exceptional bowling and execution. The visitors’ lower- and middle-order contributions ultimately overwhelmed India’s attack.
The bigger picture: What this defeat tells us
This match is a sober reminder that in modern ODI cricket:
- A massive total doesn’t guarantee victory — the margin for error is thin.
- Collective performance matters more than individual brilliance, especially in pressure chases.
- Even legends like Kohli are not immune to cricket’s unpredictability.
With the series now leveled 1–1, the showpiece decider looms in Visakhapatnam — and for India, this loss must serve as a wake-up call. For fans of Kohli, this innings will be remembered not only for the runs, but for its rare place as a century that couldn’t force a win.
