INDvsSA 2nd ODI: KL Rahul Blames Toss as India Fail to Defend 358 Against South Africa

India suffered a heartbreaking four-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second ODI at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Wednesday, with captain KL Rahul pinpointing the toss as the pivotal factor in failing to defend a formidable 358 for five. South Africa, electing to field first after winning the toss for the second consecutive match, capitalized on heavy dew to chase down 359 in 49.2 overs, their highest successful pursuit on Indian soil, led by Aiden Markram's masterful 110.

Rahul, reflecting on India's ongoing toss drought—now extended to an unprecedented 20 consecutive losses—expressed frustration at the post-match presentation, stating, "Toss plays a big role, so I'm kicking myself." He acknowledged the challenges of bowling second under dew-affected conditions, where umpires eventually changed the ball, but noted it came too late to alter the outcome. Despite the setback, Rahul emphasized the team's resilience, adding that the loss was "not really a tough one to swallow" given the environmental disadvantages.

India's batting display was a highlight, propelled by Virat Kohli's 53rd ODI century (102 off 93 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden ton (105 off 83 balls), which formed a commanding 195-run third-wicket partnership. Rahul himself contributed an unbeaten 66 off 43 balls in a late flourish, yet he lamented the dressing room consensus that an additional 20-25 runs might have provided the necessary buffer against the slippery conditions.

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South African captain Temba Bavuma hailed the victory as a confidence booster, crediting key partnerships and the strategic promotion of Dewald Brevis, who scored a brisk 54. Markram's innings, supported by Matthew Breetzke's 68, exemplified the Proteas' resolve, with Bavuma noting, "Performances like these do good for our confidence" amid intense internal competition. The win levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a decisive finale in Visakhapatnam.

As India grapples with tactical adjustments for the decider, Rahul called for sharper execution in critical phases, underscoring the need to convert batting dominance into bowling breakthroughs despite uncontrollable elements like the toss. The match, witnessed by over 60,000 spectators, reaffirms South Africa's growing prowess in high-pressure chases on subcontinental pitches.

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