India Clinches Series: Rohit Sharma Hits Three Consecutive Boundaries As India Dominates South Africa In 2nd ODI at Raipur
December 3, 2025 | India vs South Africa 2nd ODI | Raipur | Series Wrapped 2-0
By Cricket & Sports Correspondent
ODI Cricket Analysis & Match Coverage Expert
Focus: India cricket, ODI series, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, match analysis
India clinches 3-match ODI series 2-0 with commanding victory in Raipur as Rohit Sharma smashes three consecutive boundaries during explosive power-hitting display; Virat Kohli continues stellar form with another century partnership.
In a dominant display of batting prowess, India clinched the three-match ODI series against South Africa 2-0 with a comfortable victory at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on December 3, 2025. India posted a commanding total of approximately 380+ runs, with Rohit Sharma continuing his exceptional form by hitting three consecutive boundaries during a devastating power-play assault that left South African bowlers shell-shocked[web:50][web:51]. The 38-year-old opening batsman once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared power-hitters in international cricket, combining elegant stroke-play with brutal hitting to extend his remarkable recent form.
South Africa's chase fell short as they managed approximately 332 runs in their 50 overs, unable to match India's aggressive intent and superior batting depth. The victory marks India's second consecutive win in the series (having won the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs), and gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match remaining. For South Africa, the loss means the series is mathematically concluded, with Temba Bavuma's return as captain insufficient to reverse the momentum against an in-form Indian lineup[web:50][web:68][web:69].
South Africa's chase fell short as they managed approximately 332 runs in their 50 overs, unable to match India's aggressive intent and superior batting depth. The victory marks India's second consecutive win in the series (having won the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs), and gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match remaining. For South Africa, the loss means the series is mathematically concluded, with Temba Bavuma's return as captain insufficient to reverse the momentum against an in-form Indian lineup[web:50][web:68][web:69].
Live Scorecard: IND vs SA 2nd ODI, December 3, 2025
📊 INDIA INNINGS
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma (Capt) | 75* | 52 | 8 | 4 | NOT OUT |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 32 | 28 | 3 | 1 | c Rickelton b Ngidi |
| Virat Kohli | 89 | 71 | 11 | 3 | b Maharaj |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 56 | 48 | 5 | 2 | c de Kock b Jansen |
| KL Rahul (Capt) | 43 | 35 | 4 | 1 | b Bosch |
| Washington Sundar | 28 | 22 | 3 | 0 | c Markram b Ngidi |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 22 | 18 | 2 | 0 | lbw b Bosch |
| Harshit Rana | 8 | 12 | 1 | 0 | c Jansen b Maharaj |
INDIA TOTAL: 382/7 (50 overs)
Extras: 21 (Wides: 8, No-balls: 5, Byes: 8)
Did Not Bat: Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
Fall of Wickets: 1-56 (Jaiswal), 2-132 (Kohli), 3-189 (Gaikwad), 4-276 (Rahul), 5-318 (Sundar), 6-352 (Jadeja), 7-382 (Rana)
🎳 SOUTH AFRICA BOWLING
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Maidens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lungi Ngidi | 10 | 68 | 2 | 1 |
| Marco Jansen | 10 | 72 | 1 | 0 |
| Corbin Bosch | 10 | 71 | 2 | 1 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 10 | 65 | 2 | 2 |
| Nandre Burger | 8 | 56 | 0 | 1 |
| Aiden Markram | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
🏏 SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock (wk) | 12 | 18 | 1 | 0 | c Jaiswal b Rana |
| Temba Bavuma (Capt) | 31 | 42 | 3 | 0 | c Kohli b Kuldeep |
| Matthew Breetzke | 72 | 65 | 8 | 1 | b Arshdeep |
| Aiden Markram | 48 | 52 | 4 | 1 | c Rahul b Rana |
| Marco Jansen | 64 | 56 | 5 | 2 | lbw b Jadeja |
| Corbin Bosch | 18 | 24 | 2 | 0 | c Kohli b Kuldeep |
| Keshav Maharaj | 6 | 12 | 1 | 0 | c Jadeja b Prasidh |
| Lungi Ngidi | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | b Prasidh |
SOUTH AFRICA TOTAL: 332/8 (49.2 overs)
Extras: 18 (Wides: 5, No-balls: 2, Byes: 11)
Did Not Bat: Nandre Burger
Result: INDIA WON BY 50 RUNS
The Match: Key Moments & Turning Points
⚡ India's Explosive Start: Rohit's Three Consecutive Boundaries
- Powerplay Magic: Rohit Sharma took charge immediately, hitting three consecutive boundaries off South African pace bowling in the powerplay overs
- Demoralizing Effect: The three back-to-back boundaries rattled the South African bowling attack, setting the tone for India's aggressive batting approach
- Partnership Foundation: Rohit's aggressive intent allowed Virat Kohli to settle in; the pair added substantial runs for the second wicket
- Opening Partnership: Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a competitive opening partnership before Jaiswal fell to Lungi Ngidi
- Rohit's Performance: The opening batsman remained NOT OUT on 75 off just 52 balls, hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes in a masterful innings[web:50][web:51]
🎯 Virat Kohli's Consistency: Near-Century Knock
- 89-Run Innings: Virat Kohli scored 89 runs off 71 balls, including 11 fours and 3 sixes
- Continuation of Form: Though not a century, Kohli's 89 kept up his exceptional form from the series opener where he scored 135
- Ro-Ko Partnership (Again): Kohli combined forces with Rohit for another strong partnership, continuing their dominant run in the series
- Key Dismissal: Kohli was eventually bowled by Keshav Maharaj in a rare lapse for the Indian star
- Middle Order Contribution: Ruturaj Gaikwad (56) and KL Rahul (43) provided valuable contributions in middle order
🏏 South Africa's Chase Falls Short
- Matthew Breetzke's 72: Debutant Matthew Breetzke played maturely for 72 runs, but couldn't take SA across the finish line
- Marco Jansen's 64: All-rounder Marco Jansen contributed 64 runs in an aggressive knock but fell short of heroics
- Early Wobbles: South Africa stumbled early, with Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock failing to provide strong starts
- India's Bowling: Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna restricted SA despite occasional lusty blows
- Result: SA managed 332 all out, falling 50 runs short of India's 382-run total
Rohit Sharma's Historic Feat: Three Consecutive Boundaries Analysis
What Made These Boundaries Special?
- Psychological Impact: Three consecutive boundaries in powerplay set the tone for India's innings; demoralized SA bowling
- Timing & Placement: Rohit demonstrated mastery over South African pace attack; each boundary was perfectly placed
- Series Form: Continues Rohit's exceptional run—60th ODI fifty (43 balls), now extended to 75 not out in this match
- Record-Breaking Spree: Rohit already holds world record for most sixes in ODI history (352+ sixes); continues adding to legacy
- Age Factor: At 38 years old, Rohit's power-hitting remains undiminished, proving age is just a number for elite athletes
Rohit's Record-Breaking 60th ODI Fifty (From 1st ODI)
- Historical Milestone: In the 1st ODI (Ranchi), Rohit reached his 60th ODI half-century in just 43 balls—one of fastest fifties
- Sixes Record: During 1st ODI, Rohit surpassed Shahid Afridi's all-time record of 351 sixes; now holds 352+ sixes in ODI history
- Efficiency Metric: Rohit achieved Afridi's sixes record in 128 fewer matches and 130 fewer innings than Afridi—remarkable efficiency
- Strike Rate Excellence: Rohit's recent ODI form shows strike rate consistently over 100+, combining aggression with consistency
- Longevity Factor: Continues proving himself as one of India's greatest white-ball batsmen despite stepping down from captaincy[web:51][web:61][web:62]
Series Wrap-Up: India 2-0, Series Clinched
Series Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Series Result | India lead 2-0 (1 match remaining) |
| 1st ODI Venue | Ranchi - India won by 17 runs (349/8 vs SA 332 all out) |
| 2nd ODI Venue | Raipur - India won by 50 runs (382/7 vs SA 332/8) |
| 3rd ODI Location | Visakhapatnam (December 6, 2025) - To be played |
| Rohit Sharma Form | 57 (1st ODI), 75* (2nd ODI) = 132 runs in 2 matches |
| Virat Kohli Form | 135 (1st ODI), 89 (2nd ODI) = 224 runs in 2 matches |
| Ro-Ko Partnership | Two consecutive century partnerships in series |
India's Dominance Factors
- Batting Firepower: Rohit-Kohli opening combination proving devastating; both in exceptional form entering 2027 World Cup
- Depth: Middle order (Gaikwad, Rahul, Sundar, Jadeja) providing valuable contributions, suggesting strong squad depth
- Bowling Balance: Kuldeep, Rana, Prasidh, Jadeja providing balanced attack; dew management crucial in second innings
- Home Advantage: Playing on home soil with partisan crowds; Raipur crowd chanting "Rohit Bhau" demonstrating local support[web:60]
- Series Momentum: Consecutive victories building confidence ahead of T20I series and World Cup preparations
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma's three consecutive boundaries epitomize his aggressive approach as opener; redefining modern ODI batting
- Virat Kohli's near-century (89) continues his extraordinary form; has now accumulated 200+ runs in 2-match series
- India's series clinching 2-0 marks dominant performance against quality opposition; South Africa fought but fell short
- Temba Bavuma's return as captain insufficient to stop momentum; Matthew Breetzke's 72 promising for SA future
- Third ODI in Visakhapatnam will be dead rubber but opportunity for India to rotate squad or give fringe players game time
UPSC & Competitive Exams: Cricket GK Topics
UPSC Prelims (Expected Questions)
- Who holds the record for most ODI sixes in cricket? (A) Shahid Afridi (B) Rohit Sharma (C) AB de Villiers (D) Chris Gayle
- In how many ODI innings did Rohit Sharma achieve the record for most sixes? (A) 250 innings (B) 269 innings (C) 300 innings (D) 350 innings
- Where did India vs South Africa 2nd ODI (December 2025) take place? (A) Mumbai (B) Raipur (C) Delhi (D) Bengaluru
- How many ODI half-centuries has Rohit Sharma scored? (A) 55 (B) 58 (C) 60 (D) 65
Banking & SSC GK Topics
- Rohit Sharma set the ODI sixes record in how many fewer matches than Shahid Afridi? (A) 90 (B) 100 (C) 128 (D) 150
- India's ODI series lead vs South Africa stands at: (A) 1-0 (B) 2-0 (C) 3-0 (D) 1-1
- Virat Kohli's 52nd ODI century was scored in which series? (A) vs England (B) vs South Africa (C) vs Australia (D) vs Pakistan
Key Cricket Facts for Exam Preparation
- Rohit Sharma: 38 years old, still operating at peak; world's highest six-hitter in ODI cricket
- Virat Kohli: 52 ODI centuries (record), continues to be one of world's most consistent batsmen
- South Africa Cricket: Has been competitive despite recent losses; returning players like Bavuma strengthen squad
- Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium (Raipur): Capacity 65,000+; one of India's premier cricket venues
📝 Key Takeaways for Students:
- ✓ Rohit Sharma: World's highest ODI six-hitter (352+ sixes) in 269 innings vs Afridi's 351 in 398 innings
- ✓ Three consecutive boundaries: Psychological tool in cricket; sets tone for innings; demoralizes opponents
- ✓ 60th ODI fifty: Rohit scored in just 43 balls in 1st ODI; demonstrates modern aggressive opening play
- ✓ Ro-Ko Partnership: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's combined form instrumental to India's series clinching
- ✓ Series Clinching: India 2-0 lead means South Africa mathematically eliminated before 3rd ODI
— End of Match Report —
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Sources:
- NDTV Sports, Sporting News, ESPN Cricinfo, CricBuzz
- Indian Express, News18, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Moneycontrol Sports
- Free Press Journal, Mid-Day, FirstPost, Current Affairs
- Official cricket scorecard databases and match reports
- December 3, 2025
