Markram leads the charge as Proteas level ODI series against India

Markram’s 110 in 98 deliveries helped them to a four-wicket win chasing down a massive 358 - their third highest run chase in the 50-over format.

He says each player had to do their best to see the team over the line.

"You have to take the game on in order to chase down 350. We managed that by setting the game up and being smart in between, and it was all about each guy backing his game."

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This was Markram’s fourth century in the format but his first in an ODI chase. He says it would have meant very little had they not come out on the right side of the result.

"Runs only matter if you win games to be fair. If we lost today, I would've been just as miserable as I was after the previous game."

Chasing a big score against India in front of their own fans is always a tall order, and Markram believes doing that successfully can only be good for the team’s confidence.

It was also the joint-highest successful run chase against India, with Australia having done it in 2019 in Mohali.

The victory keeps the series alive with a winner-takes-all final match set for Saturday.

He says while the series win is important, they also want to keep learning and improving leading up to the 2027 World Cup.

"There is still a lot of learning for us to do and improvements we can make going forward. As much as you want to win a series, the main goal is the 2027 World Cup, and you want to keep your gaze in that direction."