Raipur, Dec 3 (NationPress) Aiden Markram delivered an outstanding century, complemented by impressive fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, enabling South Africa to achieve a remarkable chase of 359 runs. They triumphed over India by four wickets, thereby equalizing the three-match series at 1-1 at the Shheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.

Following centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with an unbeaten fifty from KL Rahul, India set a formidable total of 358/5 in 50 overs. Markram played a pivotal role in the chase with a remarkable 110 runs off 98 balls, while Breetzke's stylish 68 and Brevis' dynamic 54 provided crucial support, completing the chase with four balls to spare.

Markram's century was central to the South African innings, supported by partnerships of 101 and 70 with Temba Bavuma (45) and Breetzke. He skillfully capitalized on a dropped catch at 53 by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Breetzke and Brevis then combined for a 92-run

Corbin Bosch added a valuable 29 not out to seal the victory for South Africa, marking their third-highest ODI chase and matching the record for the highest chase against India in ODIs, previously set by Australia in 2019.

The chase started energetically, with Markram and Quinton de Kock collectively striking five boundaries in the first three overs. However, India made their breakthrough when Arshdeep Singh got de Kock out with a leading edge caught at mid-on for just eight runs. Despite some early pressure from Arshdeep and Harshit Rana, Markram found his rhythm after the new ball threat faded.

The pair of Markram and Bavuma secured a steady start, with South Africa ending the first Power-play at 51/1. As the dew settled, Markram grew more assertive against the spin, reaching his half-century in 52 balls. Kuldeep Yadav's

Eventually, Prasidh dismissed Bavuma for 46, but Markram pressed on, hitting boundaries off several bowlers to bring up his first ODI hundred as an opener in 88 balls. His muted celebration highlighted the task at hand - securing victory for South Africa.

Markram was eventually dismissed for 110 after falling for a clever off-cutter from Rana, but Brevis raised the tempo with powerful shots, including a straight six off Kuldeep. Breetzke played cautiously against the spin but maintained the momentum with boundaries against Prasidh.

Breetzke achieved his seventh fifty in just 11 ODIs, while Brevis exhibited his talent by reaching his half-century in 33 balls before falling attempting another big hit. Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi continued to score runs until Breetzke was trapped lbw by Prasidh for 68.

Despite de Zorzi's retirement due to injury, Bosch's boundaries ensured South Africa crossed the line, setting up a thrilling decider in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Earlier, Gaikwad shone against the spinners, moving swiftly from a fifty off 52 balls to his maiden ODI century in just 77 balls, finishing with 105 off 83. Kohli carried on from his previous form, scoring 102 off 93 balls, marking his second consecutive hundred in the series, reaching a total of 53 ODI centuries.

After a remarkable 195-run partnership for the third wicket, Rahul remained not out on 66 off 43 balls, and with contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (24 not out), India amassed 69 runs for the sixth wicket, surpassing the 350-mark.

Batting first, India's openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, faced early challenges as South Africa's seamers found swing. However, the Proteas struggled with control as Lungi Ngidi bowled four wides in his first over, and Nandre Burger conceded 14 runs in his opening over.

Rohit attacked Burger, scoring three boundaries before being dismissed for 14 by an outside edge caught by de Kock. Jaiswal fell for 22 after miscuing a pull shot off Marco Jansen.

The crowd erupted as Kohli hit Ngidi for six, showcasing his ability to find boundaries, while Gaikwad remained composed against short-pitched bowling. Kohli and Gaikwad both achieved their half-centuries in quick succession, with Kohli reaching his in 47 balls and Gaikwad in 52.

Gaikwad's century arrived with a pull shot over long-on, celebrated with a hug from Kohli. Jansen later dismissed Gaikwad for 105, earning applause from the crowd.

Kohli's back-to-back ODI hundreds came with a single to long-on, celebrating it in his signature style. His innings concluded with 102 runs when he fell to Ngidi's slower ball. Washington Sundar had a brief stay before being run out, while Rahul quickly scored boundaries to reach his second consecutive fifty.

India's final overs saw explosive strokes from Rahul and Jadeja, ending with 18 runs in the last over, but it was not enough to prevent a determined South African batting lineup from clinching victory.

Brief scores:

India 358/5 in 50 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 105, Virat Kohli 102, KL Rahul 66 not out; Marco Jansen 2-63, Nandre Burger 1-43) lost to South Africa 359/6 in 49.2 overs (Aiden Markram 110, Matthew Breetzke 68, Dewald Brevis 54, Temba Bavuma 45; Arshdeep Singh 2-54, Prasidh Krishna 2-82) by four wickets.