The South African cricket team's remarkable resurgence continues to unfold on Indian soil. After securing a historic Test series victory last month, the Proteas have now staged a breathtaking comeback in the ODI format, setting up a thrilling series decider against India.
From Despair to Dominance: South Africa's Stunning Turnaround
The contrast between the current South African squad and the one that was whitewashed 3-0 in their last Test tour of India in October 2019 is stark. This revival is not limited to the men's team. Their journey to the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-finals and the 2024 T20 World Cup final has been mirrored by the women's team, which reached the finals of the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cups and the 2025 ODI World Cup. This ongoing tour has cemented their status as a renewed cricketing force.
The Vizag Thriller: A Chase for the Ages
On Wednesday, in the second ODI, South Africa pulled off a magnificent heist. Facing a daunting target of 359 runs, the visitors clinched a four-wicket victory with just balls to spare, leveling the three-match series 1-1. The architect of this win was experienced opener Aiden Markram, who played a sublime knock of 110 runs off just 98 balls. His partnership with captain Temba Bavuma (46) laid a solid foundation for the improbable chase.
However, the match truly turned on its head thanks to a blistering partnership between two young sensations. Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (68 runs) added a explosive 92-run stand in a mere 64 deliveries, swinging the momentum decisively in South Africa's favour. Markram later praised Brevis's fearless approach, saying, "He hits the ball for miles. He takes the game head-on and is not afraid to put bowlers under pressure."
Belief, Composure, and a Series on the Line
Markram, who had scored only seven runs in the first ODI in Ranchi, emphasized that personal milestones are secondary to team success. "Runs only matter if you win games, at least for me. If we’d lost today, I’d be as miserable as I was after the previous game. Getting the result is what makes me really happy," he stated in the post-match press conference.
He also revealed the nerve-wracking final moments, admitting he was "hiding at the back of the change room" as Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj sealed the win in the final over. He was particularly impressed with the composure of injured pacer Nandre Burger, the next batter in. More importantly, Markram highlighted the belief such victories instill. "To chase quite a big number gives the group belief and confidence that the next time you’re in that position, we can say, 'We’ve done it before, and we can do it again,'" he explained.
The spotlight also shone brightly on Matthew Breetzke, who is enjoying a dream start to his ODI career with six fifties and a hundred in his first 11 innings. Markram commended his maturity, noting his innings felt like that of a player with 50 caps, not just a dozen.
With the series beautifully poised at 1-1, all eyes are now on the final showdown in Vizag this Saturday. A win there would complete a rare and remarkable double for South Africa in India, following their first Test series win in the country in 25 years. The stage is set for a grand finale.
