IND vs SA 2nd ODI: Virat, Rohit in spotlight as India chase series win in Raipur

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma insists facing India with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is “nothing new”, but he admits their presence significantly strengthens the visitors.

Kohli’s 52nd ODI century and Rohit’s brisk 57 powered India to a 17-run win in the first ODI, putting them 1-0 ahead in the three-match series.

Bavuma, speaking ahead of South Africa’s training session in Raipur, acknowledged the duo’s undeniable impact.

“The inclusion of those two guys does bolster the team… these are two guys who have a lot of experience and a lot of skill,” he said.

The Proteas skipper recalled watching a young Rohit Sharma at the 2007 T20 World Cup while he was still in school, underlining the longevity of India’s senior pair.

“These guys have been around… world-class players,” he remarked. Bavuma asserted South Africa are not overwhelmed by their presence. “We’ve been on the bad end of it, but we’ve also had good times against them,” he said, adding that their involvement only makes the series “a lot more exciting.”

Bavuma, who missed the first ODI, also brushed aside any need to clarify head coach Shukri Conrad’s controversial “grovel” remark during the Test series, saying it was not a distraction.

The second ODI presents an additional layer of uncertainty with the shift to Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium — a venue that remains largely untested in international cricket.

India have played just one ODI here, back in January 2023, when Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj exploited sharp seam movement to skittle New Zealand for 108. The pitch assisted fast bowlers early and never quite flattened out, allowing India to stroll to an eight-wicket win with nearly 30 overs remaining.

The only T20I at this venue — against Australia in December 2023 — was also a low-scoring contest, with India defending 174/9 on a surface offering grip and uneven bounce.

Such limited data leaves both teams guessing, especially India, who struggled with unfamiliar conditions in Guwahati recently.

For the bowling units, early overs could be decisive, while batters may need to recalibrate expectations away from typical subcontinental high-scoring trends. With tactical calls hinging on pitch behaviour, team balance, and Powerplay execution, the venue itself could become a dominant factor in shaping the match.

As India seek consistency and South Africa eye redemption, Raipur’s unpredictability promises a contest rich in tactical complexity.

South Africa may have lost the opener, but their stirring resurgence from 11/3 highlighted vulnerabilities in the Indian setup.

Matthew Breetzke, in only his first ODI against India, stitched together a composed 72, anchoring the rescue act.

Marco Jansen then unleashed a breathtaking assault — a 39-ball 70 featuring clean, fearless hitting — rekindling memories of his earlier exploits against India.

Their long tail, with the dangerous Corbin Bosch in tow, nearly overturned the match, exposing India’s issues in controlling the game during the death overs.

Importantly, South Africa were without their regular captain Temba Bavuma and frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj, both of whom were rested after their historic Test series win. Their expected return will bolster balance, experience, and composure in the visiting side.

The Proteas’ ability to challenge India on a flat deck despite early collapse also signals their depth and adaptability.

With renewed confidence, stronger personnel, and clarity in roles, South Africa will view the second ODI as a prime opportunity to level the series. For India, it is a reminder that even small lapses — whether in the middle overs or the death — can quickly turn matches into precarious contests.

India’s narrow victory in Ranchi brought relief but also exposed several cracks in their current combination.

The most debated move was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s shift from opening to No. 4, a position where he looked visibly uncomfortable. KL Rahul’s insistence on batting at No. 6 left little room for flexibility, even as Gaikwad struggled to adjust.

Washington Sundar, accustomed to constant role-shifting, was pushed to No. 5 and fell during a slowdown phase, raising questions about his batting clarity. His bowling workload was minimal too — just three overs for 18 runs — reinforcing uncertainty about his role.

Harshit Rana impressed early with two new-ball wickets but leaked runs in the death overs, a flaw that becomes magnified under the ICC’s updated rule permitting only one ball after the 34th over.

Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul was vital, though his economy rate remained a concern.

Overall, India’s middle order, bowling balance, and role definitions appear unsettled, demanding quick corrections before the second ODI.

With key players shouldering heavy responsibility and experiments continuing deep into series-play, the team will need a cohesive, stable structure to avoid being stretched again by the resilient South Africans.

Even as talk of a volatile dressing-room environment continues to swirl, India will once again place their trust in Virat Kohli’s sublime form and Rohit Sharma’s commanding presence as they aim to seal the ODI series against South Africa in Raipur.

The senior duo delivered emphatically in the series opener at Ranchi, where Kohli’s 52nd ODI century and Rohit’s fluent 57 helped India to a tense 17-run win.

Their contributions arrived against the backdrop of off-field whispers about growing differences with head coach Gautam Gambhir — a narrative that has become increasingly dominant ahead of every match.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup still two years away, both stalwarts are fighting twin battles: proving fitness and form while navigating a complex team-management dynamic.

Reports suggest the BCCI may be forced to intervene if the situation escalates further. Yet, despite the tension, Kohli and Rohit have set up two straight ODI wins — including a crushing nine-wicket triumph over Australia in Sydney — reaffirming their hunger to be part of the campaign in South Africa.

Even as selectors Ajit Agarkar and Gambhir remain non-committal on their World Cup participation, the veterans continue to make compelling on-field statements.