Nobody expected India to lose after posting 358 runs on the board. But South Africa chased it down with 4 wickets remaining in Raipur. Captain KL Rahul didn’t mince words explaining what went horribly wrong for India.
Toss and Dew Destroyed India’s Plans
KL Rahul pointed straight at the toss as India’s biggest problem yesterday. Losing the flip for the second straight match hurt them badly again. South Africa got to bat second when conditions became much easier.
Heavy dew made the ball wet and slippery throughout India’s bowling innings. Bowlers couldn’t grip properly or control their deliveries at all during crucial moments. The outfield got soaked, making fielding way tougher than it should’ve been.
“Toss plays a big role so I’m kicking myself. There’s so much dew and it’s so difficult to bowl in the second innings. Not really a tough one to swallow when you know how hard it is.”
“I know that 350 looks good, but we have been talking in the dressing room about how we can get the extra 20-25 runs to give bowlers a cushion with a wet ball,” Rahul said.
Rahul admitted that 358 usually wins matches anywhere in the world comfortably most times. But dew completely changed everything once South Africa started chasing the target. India needed maybe 20-25 more runs to feel safe given those conditions.
Batting Brilliance Couldn’t Save India
Virat Kohli smashed 102 runs in another masterclass knock for his fans. Ruturaj Gaikwad played even better, scoring his maiden ODI century with 105 runs. Both batters put India in a winning position with their partnership.
But South Africa responded with their own batting masterclass under lights brilliantly executed. They piled up 362/6, which became their highest successful chase on Indian soil. Temba Bavuma credited tactical decisions and strong team competition for the victory.
India’s bowling and fielding looked shaky when pressure mounted in the death overs. Fans are calling for changes in team selection after watching this collapse. The bowlers couldn’t defend 358, which is just unacceptable in modern cricket.
What India Must Fix
25 extra runs might’ve made all the difference with dew around. KL Rahul knows his team can’t rely on just batting power alone. The bowling attack needs serious rethinking before the final ODI comes up.
Losing both tosses and both matches shows India is struggling to adapt quickly. South Africa proved they’re better at handling tough conditions right now.
