India rode on Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten century to beat South Africa by seven wickets in the second ODI at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. The win helped India level the three-match ODI series at 1-1. Set up the third ODI on Tuesday as the decider. India had lost the first ODI to the Proteas by nine runs. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first at Ranchi. Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks scored half-centuries while putting up a 129-run stand to ensure a formidable base for the Proteas to score 278/7.

India lost Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill early in the run chase, however, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer consolidated. The innings for Team India before stepping up gears in the second half of the innings. While Kishan was dismissed in the 90s, Iyer reached the three-figure mark to guide India home. For South Africa, Temba Bavuma and Tabraiz Shamsi were deemed unwell before the second ODI and were replaced by Reeza Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin. Keshav Maharaj took charge of the Proteas, while Lungi Ngidi made way for Anrich Nortje in the playing XI. 

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Shreyas Iyer’s ton helps India beat South Africa to level ODI series 1-1

Considering the slow nature of the pitch at the JSCA International Stadium, India altered the team combination. Washington Sundar made his way into the playing XI while Shahbaz Ahmed also made his ODI debut. The duo replaced Ravi Bishnoi and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the lineup. Mohammad Siraj began proceedings for India and picked up an early wicket. Removing the in-form Quinton de Kock in his second over. 

The other South African opener, Janneman Malan, looked in good touch, scoring a few boundaries in the first powerplay. However, his composed start was brought to an end by debutant Shahbaz Ahmed, who scalped the opener in the 10th over. South Africa were 40/2 after the first powerplay. Reeza Hendricks was joined by Aiden Markram in the middle. The former capitalised in his first game on the tour. The Proteas consolidated in the next 10 overs while maintaining a run rate of over five runs per over. 

The duo of Hendricks and Markram did well to keep the Indian bowlers at bay and the Proteas’ score read 122/2 after 25 overs. Hendricks and Markram both got to their respective half centuries and kicked it up a notch, taking the attack to the Indian spinners. Mohammad Siraj was brought back into the attack and he provided India with the breakthrough, picking up the wicket of Reeza Hendricks, who was caught at deep square leg in the 32nd over. Hendricks scored 74 runs off 76 balls to set up the innings for the Proteas.