The match in Raipur had already offered enough drama on the field, but what followed added another layer to India’s forgettable night. The ICC announced that the Indian players had been fined ten percent of their match fees for falling behind the required over-rate during the second ODI against South Africa.
KL Rahul, who was leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill, accepted responsibility for the shortfall after India finished two overs short of the target. The sanction, issued by match referee Richie Richardson from the ICC Elite Panel, was applied under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which outlines penalties for slow over-rate offences. According to the rule, players lose five percent of their match fee for every over their team fails to complete in time once the charge is upheld.
The on-field action that day had already been intense. India put up a massive 358 for five, built on a historic night of batting. Virat Kohli, ever consistent, brought up yet another milestone with his 53rd ODI century. Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrated his maiden hundred in the format and Rahul himself contributed an unbeaten 66 that gave the innings a strong finish. Despite the imposing total, the conditions didn’t make things easy for the bowlers. Heavy dew turned the ball slippery, forcing frequent interruptions as players tried to keep it dry and usable, which likely contributed to the slowdown in India’s over-rate.
South Africa, however, embraced the challenge. Aiden Markram led their reply with a fluent 110 and stitched together a crucial 101-run partnership with returning captain Temba Bavuma. Their efforts were followed by Dewald Brevis’ explosive half-century and Matthew Breetzke’s composed 68, which placed South Africa firmly in the chase.
India’s bowlers fought back late through Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh but Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj stayed calm to complete the chase in the final over. The loss was a rare one for India, only the second time they had failed to defend a score of more than 350 in ODIs.
But the series did not end on that low note for India. In the decider at Vizag, Rahul’s side produced a sharp turnaround. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna claimed four wickets each to restrict South Africa to 270. The chase was then made to look effortless. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a commanding century, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli added steady half-centuries, helping India wrap up the game with over ten overs remaining and sealing the series with authority.
