Virat Kohli’s masterful 52nd ODI century, combined with Kuldeep Yadav’s cunning spin and Harshit Rana’s incisive pace, powered India to a tense 17-run victory over South Africa in the opening match of the three-game series at JSCA International Stadium on Sunday.
Kohli’s 120-ball 135, studded with 11 fours and seven sixes, anchored India’s innings as the hosts posted a commanding 349/8. His 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma (57 off 51 balls) rekindled the ‘RoKo’ partnership fans have long cherished, providing stability after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal for 18. KL Rahul’s 60 off 56 deliveries offered the late impetus, while Rohit added a personal milestone by hitting his 352nd ODI six, surpassing Shahid Afridi’s previous record. Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar (13) also contributed in a middle-order that faced intermittent pressure from South Africa’s bowlers.
Chasing 350, the Proteas stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 11 runs, but South Africa’s middle order, led by Matthew Breetzke (72), Marco Jansen (70), and Corbin Bosch (67), briefly threatened to overhaul India’s total. The trio staged a spirited revival, taking the score past 270 and keeping the match alive. However, Kuldeep Yadav (4/68) and Harshit Rana (3/65) struck crucial blows at key moments, breaking partnerships and stemming the flow of runs. Arshdeep Singh chipped in with two wickets, ensuring South Africa fell just short at 332 in 49.2 overs.
Also read: Virat Kohli breaks record for most centuries in a single format
The victory underscores India’s ability to defend big totals on flat tracks, combining experienced batting with a well-balanced bowling attack. Kohli’s innings, played under the scrutiny of fans eager to see the 36-year-old continue his dominance in limited-overs cricket, was both elegant and assertive, showcasing his adaptability and temperament.
India now take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second ODI scheduled in Raipur on Wednesday. The win has set the tone for the series, highlighting the depth of India’s batting, the potency of its spin attack, and the emerging effectiveness of its pace bowlers.
Brief Scores: India 349/8 (Virat Kohli 135, Rohit Sharma 57, KL Rahul 60; Ottneil Baartman 2/60, Nandre Burger 2/65) beat South Africa 332 all out (Matthew Breetzke 72, Marco Jansen 70, Corbin Bosch 67; Kuldeep Yadav 4/68, Harshit Rana 3/65) by 17 runs.
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