India made a stunning comeback in the ODI series against South Africa as they won the second ODI in Ranchi by seven wickets on Sunday.

Middle-order batters Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer emerged as the protagonists behind India’s win with superb knocks of 94 and 113* to power India to a series-leveling win with seven wickets and 25 deliveries to spare.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa posted a competitive total of 278/7 on the board, riding on superb knocks of 74 and 79 from Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram respectively. The likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller also made useful contributions of 30 and 35* respectively.

Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 10-1-38-3 to his name. The likes of Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur also chipped in with a wicket each.

Walking in to chase the total, India suffered early jolts as they lost both of their openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill for 13 and 28 respectively. The chase could have been very difficult after that but Kishan and Iyer played very mature and composed knocks to take India home.

Kishan was seen at his rampaging best as he took on the South African pacers at will, but he fell seven runs short of a well-deserved century. His innings consisted of seven sixes and four fours, though. Iyer, on the other hand, carried on and brought up his second century of his ODI career. Sanju Samson also did well to remain unbeaten on 30 and carry India home. Iyer was deservedly adjudged the Player of the Match for his superb knock. India and South Africa will now lock horns in the third ODI in Delhi on Tuesday, October 11.

Brief Scores

South Africa 278/7 in 50 overs (Markram 79, Hendricks 74; Siraj 3/38)

India 282/3 in 45.5 overs (Iyer 113*, Kishan 93; Parnell 1/44)

India won by seven wickets.