IND vs SA: 20 tosses, zero luck! India’s baffling streak continues as Bavuma opts to bowl in Raipur

Temba Bavuma and KL Rahul at the toss. (Video grab) NEW DELHI: India’s extraordinary and increasingly mystifying run of losing ODI tosses stretched to 20 consecutive matches on Wednesday, as returning South Africa captain Temba Bavuma called correctly and opted to bowl first in the second ODI in Raipur. For KL Rahul’s side — already 1-0 up in the series after a thrilling 17-run win in Ranchi — this felt like deja vu. For Bavuma, it was an opportunity to keep the series alive with conditions likely to improve for batting under lights.Live Score: India vs South Africa, 2nd ODIIndia last won an ODI toss during the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup.Rahul could only laugh off the streak at the toss. “We haven’t won the toss for a long time,” he said with a wry smile. “We did really well in the last game. They pushed us and we know what to expect. Before the series, we spoke about it — we expect dew everywhere we play. Put runs on the board, pick wickets early. Wicket looks good. Same team for us.”

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Bavuma, returning after missing the Ranchi ODI, looked relieved. “We are gonna have a bowl,” he said. “We’re hoping the dew comes in and makes it easier with the ball skidding on. A lot of positives from the last game. We did very well to get close after the way we started. Big game for us, a chance to keep the series alive.” Bavuma confirmed three changes — himself, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi slotting into the XI.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The pitch, meanwhile, carried layers of intrigue. Deep Dasgupta and Shaun Pollock reported contrasting halves — one end looking dry and good for batting, the other patchy with cracks and uneven spots. “It’ll be two-paced, with some uneven bounce… not as high-scoring as Ranchi,” Pollock warned. Reverse swing, they added, could be a major factor due to the abrasive surface. And then, of course, the ever-present dew: “You definitely want to chase.”India, forced to bat first yet again, named an unchanged XI featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal and a bowling attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.Playing XIs:South Africa: Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi NgidiIndia: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna