In the first One Day International (ODI) match between India and South Africa, held on a vibrant Sunday afternoon in Ranchi, Virat Kohli showcased his batting prowess by reaching his half-century with a commanding six off bowler Corbin Bosch. Kohli's remarkable innings, which marked his 52nd ODI century and his first since February, received enthusiastic applause from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who watched from the dugout. Kohli, alongside fellow opener Rohit Sharma, furthered India's dominance over the South African bowlers, building a formidable partnership that thrilled the crowd.
The match commenced with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bowl first, prompting India to strengthen their batting efforts. Yashasvi Jaiswal initiated India's innings with a brisk start, but his contribution was cut short by Nandre Burger, who secured his wicket, leaving Kohli to join Rohit at the crease. The duo quickly capitalized on the opportunity, as Rohit Sharma, who had initially played a steady game, began to pick up the pace and found his timing, striking several boundaries off Marco Jansen's deliveries.
Kohli and Rohit's partnership was electric, reaching a 100-run stand and putting immense pressure on the Proteas. India managed to score 80 runs in just 10 overs, with Kohli regularly clearing the boundary, showcasing his skill and aggressive intent. Rohit also reached his milestone, scoring his 60th half-century, although he opted against a DRS review on Kohli’s suggestion.
Highlight moments of the match included a breathtaking diving catch from Dewald Brevis that sent Ruturaj Gaikwad back to the pavilion. Despite the early dismissal, Kohli and Rohit continued to punish the South African bowlers, with India reaching a score of 233 for 4 in 37.5 overs by the time Kohli’s innings concluded. Ultimately, India, led by captain KL Rahul, is looking to rebound after their recent Test series defeat, and this strong performance in the ODI format marks a hopeful turnaround for the team as they aim for victory against South Africa.
The playing XI for India included Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (captain/wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna. South Africa’s lineup featured Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, and Ottneil Baartman.
The match demonstrated Kohli's exceptional form and ability to lead from the front, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series between India and South Africa.