Team India had a forgettable outing as they suffered a four-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayanan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday, December 3.

After posting a total of solid total of 358/5, Team India failed to defend it as South Africa chased down the 359-run target in 49.2 overs or four balls to spare in the final over to level the series 1-1 and push the showdown into a must-win final ODI. Aiden Markram was the star performer for the Proteas as he played a brilliant knock of 101 off 98 balls, laying a foundation for the visitors' run chase.

Apart from Markram, Matthew Breetzke (68), Dewald Brevis (54), skipper Temba Bavuma (46), and Corbin Bosch (29*) made significant contributions to South Africa's mammoth 359-run target, which was eventually achieved after Bosch hit a winning four to take the team through the finishing line with four balls remaining, recording their highest successful in ODIs on Indian soil.

India Bowlers Thrashed by South Africa Batters

Team India bowlers were challenged throughout the innings by South Africa batters, who kept the scoreboard ticking with well-timed boundaries and smart rotation of strike. After Arshdeep Singh provided an early breakthrough for the Men in Blue by dismissing Quinton de Kock, things did not go quite in India's way as the Proteas' batters steadily built partnerships that kept the chase firmly within their control.

Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma's 101-run partnership for the second wicket and 92-run stand between Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis for the fifth wicket proved decisive in the run chase, as both pairs absorbed pressure and kept the scoreboard moving with ease. Indian pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna were unable to apply consistent pressure in the middle overs, allowing the Proteas batters to steady their run chase.

South Africa pull off joint-highest run chase in ODIs against India to make it 1-1! Back-to-back high-scoring thrillers, the series decider awaits in Vizag #INDvSA 3rd ODI SAT, 6th DEC, 12:30 PM twitter/LahKkDbpJL

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 3, 2025

Prasidh faced the most heat from South Africa batters as he conceded 71 runs without a wicket in 7 overs before registering figures of 2/82 at an economy rate of 9.80 in 8.2 overs. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was not even spared by the Proteas as he was smashed for 78 runs while taking a wicket at an economy rate of 7.8 in his full quota of 10 overs.

Arshdeep Singh was the best bowler for the hosts as he registered figures of 2/54 at an economy rate of 5.4 in 10 overs, while Harshit Rana picked a wicket and conceded 70 runs at an economy rate of 7 in 10 overs. Washington Sundar (0/28) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/41) bowled economically in patches but couldn't break crucial partnerships.

It's raining runs in this ODI series! ⚡The fans have been treated to two record-breaking, high-scoring thrillers. Which team will bag the series decider? #INDvSA 3rd ODI SAT, 6th DEC, 12:30 PM twitter/2Lz3aXUvPv

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 3, 2025

Though Indian batters, especially Virat Kohli (102), Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), and KL Rahul (60) guided the hosts to a solid total, the bowlers could not complement the efforts of the batting unit, resulting in a disappointing defeat.

India Bowlers Slammed for Poor Performance

Team India's bowling performance was widely viewed as below par, with inconsistency in lines and lengths, which allowed South Africa batters to score freely and build momentum throughout the chase without facing sustained pressure. The fans and cricket enthusiasts were quite frustrated and disappointed over bowlers leaking runs in the crucial stages of the match.

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), fans slammed Indian bowlers for their 'hopeless' and 'lacklustre' performance that took the game away from the Men in Blue, while others questioned the selection committee and team management for picking a mediocre bowling line-up for the home series.

Not a single fast bowler we have on whome we can bet or hope that can win matches for India through his outstanding bowling must keep watch on good fast bowlers current bowers are not worthy specifically Harshit, Arshdeep, prashidh. #IndianCricket #prashidhkrishna

- Durgesh (@D_K_Sandilya) December 3, 2025

Lol lost it as failed to go for kill in last 10/15 overs and looks like india is again short of bowlers for me not even single fast bowler in today's team deserve to be in team and Washington is not an ideal allrounder look at allrounders of SA #INDvsSA Rupesh Shetty (@Rupesh_shetty23) December 3, 2025

Bola toh Bola!! What a performance by South Africa!! Loved the 2nd innings. India as usual fokat ka paisa aur fame mil raha hn bas. Hopeless performance by Indian bowlers. Shreyansh Jain (@jShreyanjain) December 3, 2025

India needs to find good bolwers else domination will be over even in white ball..If u don't have good bowlers then continue with experienced ones like shami and Siraj

- Ujjwal (@iujjwal_x) December 3, 2025

India couldn't defend 358!! Soon in the future or probably now Indian cricket will be advertising "BOWLERS NEEDED"#INDvSA

- Rachita J (@rachita1j) December 3, 2025

Need to find better bowlers.. I mean India's population is worlds largest can't we find another bowlers who can terrify other teams #INDvSA

- Vivek Ms (@thlapathyvj) December 3, 2025

#harshitrana #prasidhkrihsna are the two most lacklusture run leaking bowlers india has ever produced...cant bowl properly at all..poor selection by #agarkar and #gambhir nexus!! drowning indian cricket into new lows!! shame on @BCCI

- PD (@Maverickinfo_PD) December 3, 2025

If India cannot defend 360 then there is a serious concern with the bowling and fielding unit as a whole like Shami and Siraj are benching while Prasiddh is leaking 10 an over we could have made at least 380 and we missed a finisher for sure.

- Nikhil (@nikhilsureka) December 3, 2025

India's so-called fast bowlers have made a mockery of fast bowlingShocking that we cannot get genuine fast bowlers in a huge country like India where everyone plays cricket

- Investing Journey with Yogesh (@invest_yogesh) December 3, 2025

Here's why Team India can't defend a run chase against South Africa!!- We don't have any experienced bowlers!- The Indian team only has senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja who guide to team.- Filders make mistakes again & again.- Not proper... twitter/uVtRF7z1wW

- Bhargav Jani (@IndianBhargav) December 3, 2025

Team india seriously needs to look at a few new fast bowlers from Domestic.. Need to look beyond...P Krishna.. he is either this way or that way.. Team India needs some good fast bowlers... @GautamGambhir @BCCI

- Mohammad (@mohammad146) December 3, 2025

Team india seriously needs to look at a few new fast bowlers from Domestic.. Need to look beyond...P Krishna.. he is either this way or that way.. Team India needs some good fast bowlers... @GautamGambhir @BCCI

- Mohammad (@mohammad146) December 3, 2025

Bowlers and Fielders cost this game. In big 2025 team Like India where it's difficult to get in 15 players are very incompetent in fielding department. Very bad talent pool since the taking over of T20 format.

- M (@iMDC73) December 3, 2025

No bowler looks good enough to be playing for India tailenders play these bowlers easilyPathetic,De spirited side

- RAJENDRA CHANDORKAR (@rajendra10001) December 3, 2025

India struggling to defend even 359, unless Indian bowlers pick wkts it looks like SA may win 2nd ODI n level series with one win each SA has won test series with 2:1 #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #Hitman #KLRahul twitter/xgXM8OIYSj

- Cric_Lover (@ankit_bhattar) December 3, 2025

Team India will look to make a comeback to clinch the ODI series when they take on South Africa in the final game at the Dr YS Rajashekhara Reddy International Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6.

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