Aiden Markram is sure he will start enjoying his new role as one of South Africa’s designated white-ball opening batters after scoring a superb hundred against India.

Markram’s 110 off 98 balls helped South Africa level their ODI series against India, taking them to a four-wicket victory in Raipur.

His knock cancelled out first-innings centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) and Virat Kohli (102), setting up a grandstand finish that saw the Proteas triumph with four balls remaining.

Markram’s innings laid the platform for strong contributions from Temba Bavuma (46), Matthew Breetzke (68), Dewald Brevis (54) and Corbin Bosch (29), who closed out the chase in style.

Reflecting on his role and approach at the top of the order, Markram was characteristically honest.

“It’s hard to say,” he said. “Everyone says opening is great because there's pace on the ball and fielding restrictions, but the ball's also nipping around.

“But I am sure I will fall in love with [opening] again.

“You always take learnings form your previous game. We expected it to swing and be a challenge up front but we had to get through that challenge.

“We saw what our middle order could do in the last game so we knew we came short in the top order.

“We decided that Temba and myself will play our shots and if one got out, we'd build a partnership with the new batter.

“Proud of the boys to get the job done under pressure. You've got eight really good batters and Keshav who can do his thing as well.

“We also want to play a brand that takes the bowlers on and bat with freedom.”

A brilliant performance! 

Aiden Markram led #TheProteas Men in a mammoth run chase with a commanding innings, earning Player of the Match honours. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/PyD6NsJ1vG

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 3, 2025

Bavuma echoed Markram’s assessment after leading his side through one of their greatest white-ball chases.

“Happy to have crossed the line,” the Proteas captain said. “I think coming into this game we were thinking how we can get better with the ball.

“With the bat we had to put a stand up front. The partnership with Aiden and Breetzke carrying on his form and Bosch showing a lot of maturity finishing it off.

“Unbelievable game and I think it was a record chase and it showed how tough it is to play against this Indian side.”

Indeed, the Proteas equalled the highest successful run chase in the format against India (359), tying the record Australia set in Mohali in 2019.

Wednesday’s match was also the highest match aggregate involving South Africa and India in one-day cricket (720).

Stand-in captain KL Rahul, meanwhile, claimed India are not hurting too much despite losing out after posting an imposing first innings total.

“Not really a [tough one to swallow] given how much dew there is and how difficult it is to bowl in the second innings,” Rahul said.

“I thought we did well in the last game. Today the umpires were nice to change the ball. The toss plays a big role so I'm kicking myself.

“With the bat, I know that 350 looks good, but that has been the chat in the dressing room even after the last game about how we can get the extra 20-25 runs to give bowlers a cushion with the wet ball.”

Rahul was also full of praise for his team-mates, Gaikwad and Kohli.

“It was beautiful to watch Rutu [Gaikwad] and the way he batted. Virat, we have seen him do it 55 times, or 53. He just goes about doing his job,” he added.