This high-scoring match saw India secure a thrilling 17-run victory over South Africa in the first One Day International (ODI) at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, giving the host nation a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India’s innings was spearheaded by a masterful batting performance that propelled them to a formidable total of 349/8 in 50 overs. The foundation was laid by star batsman Virat Kohli, who rolled back the years to register his 52nd ODI century with a brilliant 135 runs off 120 balls. He received crucial support from captain Rohit Sharma, who contributed a quick-fire 57, and later from wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, who provided late acceleration with an aggressive 60 off 56 balls.
South Africa mounted a spirited and relentless chase, refusing to surrender to the huge target. Opener Matthew Breetzke anchored the innings with a solid 72 off 80 deliveries. The real threat came from all-rounder Marco Jansen, who produced a blistering counter-attack, smashing 70 off just 39 balls to put the Indian bowlers under immense pressure, especially as the dew and challenging one-ball rule made conditions tougher.
The match’s defining moment arrived courtesy of the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. In a match-winning spell, Kuldeep dismissed both set batters—Jansen and Breetzke—in the space of just three deliveries, completely derailing the South African chase from a dangerous position. Kuldeep finished with a four-wicket haul. Despite this setback, lower-order batsman Corbin Bosch launched a heroic effort, scoring a valiant maiden ODI fifty with 67 off 51 deliveries, taking the game right into the final over. However, India held their nerve, with Prasidh Krishna eventually dismissing Bosch to seal the 17-run victory.
Virat Kohli was rightly named the Player of the Match for his match-defining century. Post-match, South African captain Aiden Markram expressed pride in his team’s fighting chase but admitted that the early top-order wickets were ultimately the difference.
