- By Gurmeet Batra
- Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs South Africa ODI Series: India captain KL Rahul acknowledged that the Men in Blue needed to step up in crucial moments, but also pointed fingers at the toss loss as a decisive role in the home team's four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series in Raipur on Tuesday.
This marks India's 20th consecutive ODI toss loss, a streak that's hard to ignore.
India batted first, and centuries from Virat Kohli (102, 93 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105, 83 balls) powered the hosts to a commanding 358/5. Kohli scored his 53rd ODI century, while Gaikwad notched up his maiden ton in the format.
South Africa easily gunned down the target with excellent control, finishing at 362/6 in 49.2 overs, thanks to a superb hundred from Aiden Markram (110) and half-centuries from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54).
"Not really a (tough one to swallow) given how much dew there is and how difficult it is to bowl in the second innings,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation after losing the toss for the second straight game in the series.
Rahul joked about practising hard for the toss, but clearly, it's not working out.
"Thought we did well in the last game. Today, the umpires were nice enough to change the ball. Toss plays a huge role and I am kicking myself for losing the toss (laughs)," said Rahul.
Rahul acknowledged there were areas where India could have done better.
"With the bat, I know that 350 looks good, but that has been the chat in the dressing room even after the last game about how we can get the extra 20-25 runs to give bowlers a cushion with the wet ball," he said.
Captain also praised the excellent batting display from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, mentioning their top-order brilliance as a highlight of India's innings.
"It was beautiful to watch Rutu and the way he batted. Virat, we have seen him do it 55 times, or 53. He just goes about doing his job. It was beautiful watching Rutu bat, the way he picked up the tempo after reaching his fifty," said the India captain.