Corbin Bosch Highlights Team Spirit After South Africa's Thrilling ODI Victory

In a thrilling second ODI, South Africa chased down a massive target of 359 runs against India, with Corbin Bosch playing a crucial role. He highlighted the impact of dew on the game and the team's unwavering belief in their ability to chase any score. Despite facing injuries and a challenging situation, Bosch and Keshav Maharaj secured a memorable victory. The match showcased impressive performances from both teams, setting the stage for an exciting series decider. Read on to discover more about this nail-biting encounter and Bosch's reflections on the game.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 01:51 IST

Bosch Reflects on Match-Winning Performance

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch expressed his thoughts following a crucial innings that led the Proteas to victory in the second ODI against India. He acknowledged that the dew conditions played a significant role in their successful chase of a daunting target of 359 runs, emphasizing the team's confidence in their ability to chase down any score.

Despite impressive centuries from Indian players Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli, Aiden Markram's explosive 98-ball century and Matthew Breetzke's half-century were pivotal in helping South Africa achieve the joint-highest target ever set against India, setting the stage for an exciting series finale in Visakhapatnam.

The second innings saw the Proteas skillfully find boundaries, with Brevis hitting quick sixes, while Indian bowlers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna struggled, particularly Krishna, who conceded 82 runs in just over eight overs, significantly impacting the match. The dew made it challenging for bowlers to grip the ball, further aiding the batting side.

At one point, the Proteas faced adversity with a score of 332/6, losing two players, Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger, to hamstring injuries. Nevertheless, Bosch (25*) and Keshav Maharaj (10*) rallied to secure the win, showcasing resilience after Bosch's earlier failure to chase down 350 runs in Ranchi.

In a post-match interview, Bosch recounted his conversation with Keshav during the tense moments following the injuries, urging him to 'run hard' and remain 'calm'. He stated, 'We needed less than a run-a-ball, and I believed we could achieve it. This match demonstrated our potential when everything aligns perfectly.'

Discussing the playing conditions, Bosch noted the challenges of bowling, admitting, 'It was tricky. The dew affected grip, making it easier for the batsmen to score.' He remained optimistic, assuring that if needed, Nandre would step in, and they would take it one ball at a time.

On batting at number eight, Bosch remarked, 'It's much easier than opening, but I'm ready to contribute in any way I can.'

In the match, India batted first, with the Proteas reducing them to 62/2 early on after dismissing Rohit Sharma (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22). However, Virat (102 off 93 balls) and Ruturaj (105 off 83 balls) formed a formidable partnership, scoring 195 runs for the third wicket, putting India in a strong position. KL Rahul (66* off 43 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (24* off 27 balls) added a quick 69 runs for the sixth wicket to finish the innings.

Marco Jansen was the standout bowler for South Africa, taking 2 wickets for 63 runs.

The Proteas began their chase aggressively, losing Quinton de Kock early but recovering with a 101-run partnership between Temba Bavuma (46 off 48 balls) and Markram, who scored his fourth ODI century and first as an opener with 110 runs off 98 balls. A crucial 92-run partnership between Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64 balls) and Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls) shifted the momentum in favor of South Africa. Despite injuries to Burger and de Zorzi, Bosch and Maharaj guided the team to a memorable victory with four wickets and four balls remaining.

For India, Arshdeep Singh was the leading bowler with 2 wickets for 54 runs, while Harshit Rana's figures deteriorated after a poor over. Krishna's performance, conceding 82 runs in 8.2 overs, was a significant factor in South Africa's triumph.

An exhilarating series decider is set for Saturday.