Aiden Markram produced a masterful unbeaten century (100* off 88 balls, 10x4s, 3x6s) to anchor South Africa's bold chase of 359 in the second ODI against India at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Wednesday, putting the Proteas in a commanding position at 179/2 after 27.2 overs. Markram's fourth ODI tonne—and his first against India—came off a deft single through mid-on off Ravindra Jadeja, silencing a packed crowd and keeping South Africa ahead in the required run rate of 8.2, with Matthew Breetzke (15*) providing steady support at the other end.

South Africa's innings began steadily after being sent in to field first, with opener Quinton de Kock (8) falling early to Arshdeep Singh's inswinger in the seventh over, caught behind. Captain Temba Bavuma (32*) and Markram then forged a crucial 50-plus stand for the second wicket, blending caution with calculated aggression against India's spinners. Bavuma's dismissal—run out after a mix-up with Markram—brought Breetzke to the crease, but Markram's dominance, including a six over long-on off Washington Sundar and boundaries off Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja, has tilted momentum firmly toward the visitors.

India's bowling attack, led by stand-in skipper KL Rahul, struggled for breakthroughs in the middle overs, conceding 11 runs in Sundar's 28th over alone as Markram neared his landmark. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana leaked boundaries early, while the spin trio of Jadeja (0/20), Kuldeep, and Axar Patel found little turn on a batsman-friendly pitch. A failed review for LBW against Markram off Jadeja only compounded India's frustration, with the required rate now dipping below eight as dew begins to factor in under lights.

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Earlier, India had set a mammoth 358/5, powered by Virat Kohli's record-extending 53rd ODI century (102 off 93) and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden tonne (105 off 83), stitched into a match-defining 195-run third-wicket alliance—the highest for India vs. South Africa. Quickfire cameos from Jaiswal (22) and an explosive unbeaten 66 (43 balls) from Rahul pushed the total beyond 350, but South Africa's disciplined approach has made this chase one of the most compelling in recent bilateral history.

With 180 runs still needed and eight wickets intact, Markram's knock has evoked memories of his 2023 World Cup heroics, positioning South Africa to level the three-match series 1-1. India, trailing by 180 with spinners under pressure, will need a miracle from Bumrah or a middle-order collapse to defend, but the Proteas' composure suggests a thriller unfolding into the death overs.

As the floodlights brighten and the Raipur night deepens, this contest—already featuring three centuries—promises a fitting decider if South Africa clinches victory, testing India's depth ahead of the T20I leg and the 2026 World Cup preparations.

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