South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, took a nostalgic detour ahead of the second ODI against India in Raipur, recalling the first time he watched Rohit Sharma on the global stage during the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup — hosted, fittingly, in South Africa. Bavuma, who was still in school then, admitted that facing seasoned campaigners like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now feels like a familiar but formidable challenge.

Speaking to the media, Bavuma highlighted the longevity and class of India’s iconic batting duo. “We played against Rohit in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and I was still in school then. These guys have been around for so long… they are world-class players,” Bavuma said, as quoted by PTI. He added that while South Africa has faced tough days, they’ve also enjoyed success, making every contest riveting.

With India leading the three-match ODI series 1–0 after a gripping clash in Ranchi, the Proteas head into Raipur with a strong desire to level the series. In the opener, Virat Kohli produced yet another masterclass with a match-winning century, while Rohit Sharma complemented him with a fluent half-century.

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Their 139-run stand off 109 balls completely shifted the momentum in India’s favour. On the bowling front, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav combined to hold their nerve in the final overs and secure a narrow 17-run victory.

Bavuma acknowledged the impact that Rohit and Kohli bring to this Indian lineup, calling them invaluable assets who elevate the team’s performance with their understanding of conditions and big-match temperament. “The inclusion of those two guys bolsters the team. They have a lot of experience, a lot of skill, and that can only benefit India,” Bavuma said, noting that South Africa are fully aware of the challenge they pose.

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As the Proteas prepare for the Raipur showdown, curbing Rohit and Kohli will remain their biggest priority. Despite India’s dominance in the Test series, South Africa believe they have the firepower to bounce back in the ODIs. With both sides hungry for momentum, the second ODI promises another high-octane chapter in this fiercely contested tour.