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India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team: The host will be entering the second ODI riding high on confidence after beating South Africa by 17 runs in a high-scoring match in Ranchi. The series opener was all about dominance and chaos as the host had posted a mammoth target of 349 runs on the back of Virat Kohli's brilliant 135, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul's gritty knock of 57 and 60 runs, and then Harshit Rana struck early and left the visitors reeling at 11/3. Still, the Proteas made a brilliant comeback as batters like Breetzke, Marco Jansen, and Bosch took the match till the last over, till Prasidh Krishna wrapped their innings. The second ODI will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, where the pitch is known for its unpredictability.

India national cricket team vs South Africa National cricket team Pitch report

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur – Key Details

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur is one of the biggest cricket stadiums, as it has a seating capacity of 60,000 people and thus is India's third-largest stadium. It was built in 2008, but the international matches only began to be held in January 2023, and after that, just a few international matches have been held here. The dimensions of this ground are 180 yards by 160 yards, and the boundaries are 80m. The batters here will have to take time out to take their innings deep, and the bowlers will get much more help here.

What Is the Pitch Like at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur?

The surface here is a classic two-paced one. It gives enough bounce for batters to back their timing, but that goes away once the bowlers start taking wickets. And after the shine of the ball is gone, it grips noticeably, and that's when the spinners come into play. Finger spinners have a natural ability, whereas wrist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav can also pose a stiff challenge with drift and late turn. Pacers who rely on cutters and well-disguised slower balls also become far more effective through the middle overs. This isn’t a belter or a dead track; it rewards intelligence. Batters must build their innings, and bowlers must adjust lengths constantly. Evening dew can tilt the match toward the chasing side, making stroke play easier and limiting spin.

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Key Stats at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur

Raipur hasn’t hosted many internationals, but the little data available is brutally revealing. India has played just two matches here, winning both: an ODI where New Zealand were skittled for 108 and a T20I dominated against Australia. The ODI average first innings score is only 108, with India’s 111 for 2 being the highest and NZ’s 108 all out the lowest. Rohit’s 51 is the top score, and Shami’s 3 for 18 are the best figures. In T20Is, the highest team total is 174 for 9. The vast ground, early bounce, later spin, and inevitable dew make this venue a tactical chessboard rather than a batting paradise.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Virat Kohli Smashes Huge Sixes In Training Session Ahead Of 2nd ODI | Watch

What are India’s and South Africa’s records at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur?

India has played two international matches here and won both: an ODI against New Zealand and a T20I against Australia. South Africa has never played an international match at this venue before this series, giving India a slight familiarity advantage.

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