Kohli’s ton in vain as SA chase down huge total to level series

Virat Kohli’s second successive hundred was not enough as South Africa, aided by Aiden Markram’s ton, chased down a target of 359 to clinch a four-wicket win and level their one-day international (ODI) series 1-1 in Raipur on Wednesday.

India, who lost openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first 10 overs, regained their footing when Kohli (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) added 195 runs for the third wicket, before an unbeaten stand by captain KL Rahul (66) and Ravindra Jadeja helped them post 358-5.

Markram (110) scored his fourth ODI hundred in 88 balls, forming crucial partnerships with captain Temba Bavuma (46) and Matthew Breetzke (68), before Dewald Brevis scored a swift fifty as South Africa inched towards their target.

Tony de Zorzi added a quick 17 runs from 11 balls before he was forced to retire with a hamstring injury, but Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj guided the visitors with four balls to spare, achieving South Africa’s third-biggest successful ODI run chase.

The decisive third match of the series will be played in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Rohit and young batter Tilak Varma unveiled India’s new jersey for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup during the innings break in the second ODI against South Africa at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.

The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka from Feb.7 to March 8. At the launch of the jersey with a deep blue and bold orange shade rolled out by kit provider Adidas, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was also in attendance.

Rohit captained India to winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and immediately retired from the shortest format.

“It’s been a long journey. We won our first World Cup in 2007, and we had to wait more than 15 years to win the next one. It’s been a long road with plenty of ups and downs, but it felt great to lift the trophy again,” he said.

“Now, with the World Cup happening in India, it’s going to be an exciting tournament. My best wishes are always with the team, and I’m sure everyone will be behind them and supporting them for doing their best,” said Rohit, who is now the brand ambassador for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where India enters as defending champions.

The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. At the launch of the jersey with a deep blue and bold orange shade rolled out by kit provider Adidas, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was also in attendance, along with Vijay Chauhan, GM, adidas India.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. India’s campaign opens against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, before facing Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 12.

India will travel to Colombo to face off against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, before taking on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18. The title clash of the 20-team event will be held either in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s progress in the tournament.

India pacer Mohit Sharma has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career that spanned nearly 14 years. Mohit made his international debut in 2013 and represented India in 26 ODIs and eight T20Is, claiming 37 wickets across formats.

He was part of India’s squad reaching the semifinals of the 2015 Men’s ODI World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, apart from representing Haryana in the domestic cricket circuit.

“Today, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket. From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing,” wrote Mohit on his Instagram post on Wednesday.

“A very special thank you to the Haryana Cricket Association for being the backbone of my career. And my deepest gratitude to Anirudh Sir, whose constant guidance and belief in me shaped my path in ways words cannot express. Thank you to the BCCI, my coaches, my teammates, IPL franchises, support staff, and all my friends for their love and support,” he added.

Known for his disciplined new‑ball spells and variations like cutters, slower balls, and slow bouncers in the death overs, Mohit was also a prominent figure in the IPL, picking 134 wickets in 120 games.

Agencies