India suffered a narrow four-wicket defeat in the second ODI against South Africa, despite posting an imposing total of 358/5. Captain KL Rahul pinpointed a critical factor that tilted the match: the dew. After losing the toss for the second successive game, Rahul felt India fell short by 20-25 crucial runs, a deficit that proved insurmountable under challenging wet conditions. He admitted, “We needed 20–25 more runs to cushion the bowlers with a wet ball.” This strategic disadvantage, coupled with difficulties in gripping and controlling the ball due to heavy dew, hampered India’s bowling and fielding efforts. Despite brilliant centuries from Virat Kohli (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), South Africa mounted a historic chase, their highest successful pursuit in India. Aiden Markram’s century (110) was instrumental in their victory, supported by key contributions from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54). The Proteas successfully adapted to the conditions, highlighting the significant impact of the toss and dew in this high-scoring encounter. The series now stands level at 1-1, setting the stage for a decider where the toss could once again prove decisive.
