The city of Raipur is buzzing with cricket fever, and star batter Virat Kohli found himself at the center of an emotional fan moment ahead of the second ODI against South Africa. A female fan, overcome with emotion upon seeing the cricketing icon, was moved to tears and presented him with a rose as he arrived at the team hotel.
This heartfelt welcome underscores the massive excitement in the city for the upcoming match. India, having won the first game, is on the cusp of sealing the three-match ODI series against South Africa on Wednesday.
A Hero's Welcome and a Captain's Challenge
Kohli's arrival in Raipur was marked by more than one affectionate greeting. Videos circulating on social media also show young fans rushing to greet him at the hotel, presenting him with red flowers—a gesture that brought a wide smile to the cricketer's face. These warm receptions come on the back of his match-winning performance in Ranchi, where his superb 135-run knock powered India to a 17-run victory.
Leading the team in this crucial match is KL Rahul, who has stepped in as captain after regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were sidelined with injuries. Rahul, informed of his new role just a day before the squad announcement, brings prior captaincy experience to the role. He has emphasized a collective leadership approach, relying on senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma for support.
Match at a Glance: What You Need to Know
The second ODI is set to be a decisive encounter in the series. Here are the key details for fans:
| Detail | Information |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Toss at 1:00 PM IST, match starts at 1:30 PM IST. |
| Venue | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur. |
| Series Context | India leads the 3-match series 1-0 after a 17-run win in Ranchi. |
| How to Watch | Live telecast on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming available on the Jio Hotstar app and website. |
Building Towards the Future
The ongoing series is more than just about immediate results. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, performances here are pivotal for players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they look to cement their places in the long-term plans for the tournament. The team will be keen to carry the momentum from Raipur into the final match in Visakhapatnam on December 6.
As Raipur prepares to host its third international match, all eyes will be on the stadium to see if the home team, buoyed by passionate fan support and recent form, can clinch the series victory.
