KL Rahul rued losing toss after India suffered a painful four-wicket defeat against South Africa in the second ODI despite posting a massive target of 359 runs.
KL Rahul blames toss factor for India's defeat against South Africa
After being asked to bat first, India posted a formidable total of 358 for five, largely thanks to centuries from Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls), who scored his 53rd ODI hundred, and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls), who notched his maiden ton in the format.
In response, South Africa successfully chased down the target, reaching 362 for six in 49.2 overs. Their successful pursuit was anchored by an impressive century from Aiden Markram (110) and crucial half-centuries from both Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54). Despite the team's loss, Indian bowlers Arshdeep Singh (2/54) and Prasidh Krishna (2/85) each managed to claim two wickets.
Meanwhile, right after the match, Rahul admitted that he is kicking himself for losing the toss.
"Not really ([tough one to swallow). Considering how much dew there is and how much difficult it is to bowl in the second innings, the umpires have been nice enough to change the ball. Toss plays a huge role and I am kicking myself for losing the toss. There are things we could have done better," Rahul said at the post-match presentation.
India's toss-losing rut in ODIs continues
Notably, Rahul experienced yet another toss defeat, extending India's long and unfortunate sequence of consecutive toss losses to 20, a streak that has now lasted for over two years. This run of misfortune began with the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad, where India lost the toss to Australia, and the result has stubbornly remained the same ever since.
"350 looks good but the chat in the dressing room was how can we get that extra 20-25 runs for the bowlers, we also gave away a few soft runs in the field. It was beautiful to watch Rutu and Virat bat. He goes on about doing his job, just to see the way Rutu take on the spinners, the tempo that he batted is what gave us that extra 20 runs, the lower order could have contributed more. Today is the first time that I have been slotted at 6 and walked in at 5, Virat and Rutu had set the tempo, so I walked in. I had got a fifty in the last game, was feeling confident, so it was better to walk in at number 5," Rahul signed off.
The third ODI is scheduled to be played on December 6 in Vizag, which will decide the outcome of the series.