We could have done better: KL Rahul explains reasons behind Indias crushing defeat vs South Africa in 2nd ODI

Team India skipper KL Rahul blamed his team's poor fielding and lack of contribution from the lower middle order as the hosts suffered a crushing 4-wicket defeat in the 2nd ODI against South Africa after failing to defend a strong total of 358 runs in Raipur on Wednesday. Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed centuries to propel India past the 350-run mark, however, it didn't prove enough.

South Africa rode on Aiden Markram's brilliant 110-run knock and half-centuries from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54) to chase down the target with four balls to spare on a dewy evening in Raipur. It turned out to be a comfortable chase for the Proteas as the Indian bowlers struggled with their line and length, which was worsened by the dew factor.

While Rahul agreed that dew had a significant role to play in the result, he insisted India were 20-25 runs short after the kind of platform set by centurions Kohli and Gaikwad. Gaikwad and Kohli added 195 runs for the 4th wicket to set up the stage for a big total for India, but the lower middle order failed to turn up as India could only manage 74 runs in the last ten overs to go to 358/5 from 284/4 at the end of 40 overs.

India were also sloppy on the field, thanks to the heavy dew on the outfield, as the likes of Ravindra Jadeja also struggled. The hosts made several errors in fielding, which Rahul felt ended up costing the team dearly in the end, as South Africa cruised to the 359-run target comfortably.

"There are things we could have done better. 350 looks good, but the chat in the dressing room was how can we get that extra 20-25 runs for the bowlers to give them extra cushion with the wet ball, we also gave away a few soft runs in the field," Rahul said as he explained the reasons behind India's defeat in the 2nd ODI.

The stand-in skipper, who is leading in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, lauded Kohli and Gaikwad for their fantastic tons, however, he reckoned the lower order could have contributed more as India failed to make the most of the final 10 overs in their innings.

"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," Rahul added.

South Africa produced a combined batting effort to pull off a difficult run chase in Raipur. The visitors lost opener Quinton de Kock early in the chase, but Markram stood tall with his sublime century and received great support from the likes of skipper Temba Bavuma and Breetzke to keep South Africa on track.

Markram combined with Bavuma (46) to add 101 runs for the 2nd wicket after De Kock's dismissal, before sharing a crucial 70-run stand with Bretzkee (68) for the third wicket. Brevis then hammered a brutal 54 off just 34 balls, laced with five sixes to take pressure off the Proteas. Corbin Bosch's cameo of 15-ball 26 helped the Proteas get over the line comfortably to level the three-match series 1-1.