India vs South Africa 1st ODI: India Won by 17 Runs

Catch all the action from the India vs South Africa 1st ODI! Get insights, player stats, and match highlights to stay updated on this thrilling encounter.

🏏 India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Vintage Kohli Fires India to Mammoth Total in Ranchi

The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa began with a high-scoring encounter at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. A majestic century from Virat Kohli, coupled with fluent fifties from Rohit Sharma and captain KL Rahul, propelled India to a formidable total of 349/8 in their 50 overs, setting the stage for a tense run chase.

🇮🇳 India’s Innings: The Ro-Ko Show Returns (India vs South Africa 1st ODI)

After Aiden Markram won the India vs South Africa 1st ODI toss and opted to bowl first, India’s innings was anchored by the return of its two stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

• Rohit Sharma’s Record-Breaking Start: Following the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal (18), Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took control. Rohit played a brisk knock, scoring 57 off 51 balls, which included three huge sixes. In the process, he surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the leading six-hitter in ODI cricket history—a spectacular milestone for the opener.
• Kohli’s Masterclass: The highlight of the innings was undoubtedly Virat Kohli’s sensational knock. The former captain brought up his 52nd ODI century with a masterful display of strokeplay, going on to score 135 off 120 balls (11 fours, 7 sixes). His 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma provided the perfect foundation.
• KL Rahul’s Crucial Finish: Despite quick wickets in the middle overs, stand-in captain KL Rahul (60 off 56 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 20 balls) provided the late acceleration, ensuring India breached the 340-run mark.

🇿🇦 South Africa’s Chase: Rocky Start, Fierce Fightback (India vs South Africa 1st ODI)

Chasing 350, South Africa suffered a devastating start, losing three top-order wickets in quick succession to the new-ball attack.

• Harshit Rana’s Dream Debut: Young Indian pacer Harshit Rana dismantled the Proteas’ top-order, removing both opener Ryan Rickelton and the dangerous Quinton de Kock in a fiery opening spell. Arshdeep Singh then dismissed captain Aiden Markram, leaving South Africa reeling at 15/3 inside five overs.
• The Crucial Partnership: Against the odds, Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi launched a spirited counter-attack, absorbing the pressure and stitching together a valuable partnership to rebuild the innings. However, the partnership was broken by a decisive spell from the spinners.
• Mid-Innings Drama: Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar applied the brakes, with Kuldeep taking two key wickets, including one of the settled batters, to push the asking rate higher. Despite a fighting half-century from Marco Jansen and Matthew Breetzke, the pressure of the steep chase proved too much.
• Latest Score Update: At the time of this update, South Africa is struggling at 242/7 in 36 overs, needing another 108 runs from 84 balls.

🌟 India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Key Performers

India’s strong bowling performance, particularly the early inroads made by the pacers, has put them in a commanding position to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

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🎉 India Clinch Thrilling 17-Run Victory Over South Africa in 1st ODI!

The three-match ODI series began with an absolute thriller in Ranchi! India successfully defended their massive total of 349/8 to defeat South Africa by 17 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

🇮🇳 India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Final Score Summary

💥 India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Match Highlights

1. India’s Batting Powerplay

India’s innings was built on a brilliant collective batting effort, anchored by the two senior pros:

• Virat Kohli’s 52nd ODI Century: Kohli was in magnificent form, scoring a masterful 135 off 120 balls to anchor the middle order and register his 52nd ODI hundred.
• Rohit Sharma’s Record-Breaking Knock: Rohit scored a fluent 57 off 51 balls and, in the process, became the leading six-hitter in ODI history by surpassing Shahid Afridi’s tally.
• KL Rahul’s Crucial Finish: Captain KL Rahul ensured the late flourish with a rapid 60 off 56 balls, helping India post a challenging target of 350.

2. South Africa’s Brave, But Flawed Chase

The Proteas’ chase started disastrously, but they showed immense fighting spirit to keep the match alive until the very end.

• Pacer’s Initial Strike: Debutant Harshit Rana (2/54) and Arshdeep Singh (2/55) ripped through the top order, leaving South Africa reeling at 11/3 as Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock fell cheaply.
• Brave Counter-Attack: South Africa launched a spirited fightback led by Matthew Breetzke (59) and an excellent cameo from Dewald Brevis (37).
• The Jansen-Bosch Partnership: The real fireworks came later, with Marco Jansen (56) and Corbin Bosch (84) combining for a spectacular counter-attack. Bosch’s aggressive late innings kept the pressure on the Indian bowlers, hitting boundaries at will in the death overs.
• Kuldeep Yadav Seals the Win: Despite the late scare, India’s lead spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/68) was decisive, taking four crucial wickets, including the removal of Matthew Breetzke, to halt the Proteas’ momentum at key stages. The relentless pressure from the large target eventually caused South Africa to fall short, with their last few wickets tumbling in the final overs.

🏆 India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Player of the Match

Virat Kohli was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for his sensational and match-winning knock of 135 runs.