Raipur, Dec 3 (NationPress) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma praised his team’s resilience after successfully chasing down an impressive 359 runs to secure a four-wicket victory over India in the second ODI, thus leveling the series at 1-1. He noted that this triumph at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday would significantly boost the visitors' confidence.

South Africa's remarkable chase was propelled by Aiden Markram's stellar century, complemented by notable fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis. Bavuma expressed his satisfaction saying, "I'm thrilled to have crossed the line. We focused on improving our bowling, and I believe there's room for more discussions there. However, our batting was definitely stronger at the top with our first three batsmen."

“The partnerships between Aiden and Breetzke, along with Bosch who demonstrated maturity, were crucial. Our finishing was also significantly better. It was an incredible match, marking a record chase and illustrating how well we need to perform against this Indian team,” Bavuma remarked after the match.

South Africa achieved their target with four balls remaining, primarily due to Markram’s 110, Breetzke’s 68, and Brevis’ 54. “It was a collective effort, which was essential in a chase of this magnitude. I partnered with Aiden as he was striking the ball well,” Bavuma added.

“Building a partnership was key. In modern cricket, taking the game deep is challenging. But it was all about trust in the players coming in behind me to chase down the score,” Bavuma elaborated.

He also mentioned that promoting Brevis to bat at No. 4 was a strategic success. “Sending Brevis early was advantageous. We can draw immense confidence from this match. This series is shaping up to be explosive. The players present are our best,” he stated.

“There's intense competition within the squad, urging batters to perform at their peak. Likewise, our bowling lineup is developing depth. As I mentioned post the Test series, we're in a positive space. While we have areas to improve, performances like these significantly bolster our confidence,” Bavuma concluded.

Regarding the injuries of Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, Bavuma said, “I'm not a doctor, so I'm uncertain. It didn't appear promising, especially with Nandre unable to complete his spell. They'll follow the medical protocols, and if necessary, we have others ready to step in on Saturday.”

Markram, who was awarded Player of the Match for his century, expressed his determination to rectify his performance from the first ODI. “You must navigate the initial phase. In the previous game, the middle order struggled, and I felt partly responsible. Had I pushed into the 70s, the result could have differed,” he acknowledged.

“Under the lights, the wicket had more pace and swing, so the goal was to settle in, find rhythm, and then accelerate. I can't recall the exact over, but as the innings progressed, we felt set. That's when I typically look to play my shots,” he explained.

“If one of us departs, we rebuild with the next batter. The partnership felt solid. I'm proud of the team for securing the win despite high-pressure moments,” Markram added.

He also highlighted that having a robust batting order facilitated the chase. “Having eight capable batters and Kesh, who can contribute, provides significant freedom,” he noted.

“Our team aims to adopt a positive approach, putting bowlers under pressure. With depth, we feel liberated. The middle order has been impressive over the past year. Now, it’s up to the top order to set the stage for them to shine,” Markram stated.

When asked about his preference between opening or batting at one down, Markram found it challenging. “It’s hard to choose. Opening has its perks with the field being up and the ball coming nicely, but it can be tricky with varying swing. Nonetheless, I'm content either way. I anticipate enjoying it more as I settle in,” he said.

Corbin Bosch, who contributed an unbeaten 29 to finalize the chase, attributed his calmness as key during the tense finish. “I told Kesh to run hard since we needed less than a run-a-ball. Staying calm and focused was essential, and we believed we could chase anything,” he shared.

“Tonight showcased our potential when the game is set up correctly. The top order laid a strong foundation for us to finish. I had faith that if needed, Nandre would step in. Staying calm and taking it one ball at a time was vital for us to cross the line,” Bosch added.

On the conditions in Raipur, Bosch remarked, “Bowling was a bit tricky. It wasn’t my best performance, but dew played a role. The ball started coming onto the bat nicely. Initially, it was sticky, but as the ball got wet, it became tougher. This also eased our scoring.”

Bosch has been a crucial player for South Africa across formats over the last year, and he relishes the challenge of batting at number eight. “That’s my role. Batting at number eight is easier than opening, but I'm more than willing to do whatever it takes to help the team,” he concluded.