Virat Kohli produced another master class in Raipur, making a stunning 102 off 93 balls, but for the first time in 6 years and 9 months, an ODI century from him failed to take India to victory. His effort, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden ODI hundred, drive India to 358 for fiveyet South Africa chased it down with four balls to spare to level the series.
This was only the eighth occasion in Kohli’s ODI career that a hundred ended in defeat. The previous occurrence dates back to March 2019. His 53rd ODI ton was scored with typical precision: sharp movements, sharp movement and effortless rotation of strikes. A 195-run partnership with Gaikwad was the highlight of India’s innings and Kohli looked in command from the moment he entered.
Despite the impressive total, India found themselves in adverse conditions in the second half. The heavy dew dulled the spinners’ grip and reduced the pacers’ room for error. The bowling lacked consistency and South Africa capitalized on a composed, well-built chase.
Aiden Markram’s century anchored the chase, Dewald Brevis mounted a brutal counter-attack with a 34-ball 54 and Matthew Breetzke’s steady 68 kept the visitors off the pace. Not even Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh’s late strikes could prevent Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj from steering South Africa home.
For India, the match will be remembered not only for the defeat but also for the end of a remarkable streak – almost seven years without an ODI loss when Kohli reached three figures. With the series now level at 1-1, all eyes shift to Visakhapatnam in the decider.
GAMES WHERE KOHLI SCORED 100 BUT INDIA LOST
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107 v England, Cardiff (September 2011)
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123 vs New Zealand, Napier (Jan 2014)
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117 vs Australia, Melbourne (Jan 2016)
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106 vs Australia, Canberra (Jan 2016)
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121 vs New Zealand, Mumbai (October 2017)
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107 vs West Indies, Pune (October 2018)
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123 vs Australia, Ranchi (March 2019)
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102 vs South Africa, Raipur (Dec 2025)
– The end
Published on:
December 4, 2025
