IND vs SA, 1st ODI: Vintage Virat Kohli century sets up India’s 17-run win over South Africa
The full house at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi enjoyed three hours of Virat Kohli at his absolute best. It was vintage stuff – wristy flicks, charging at pacers, and straight drives from the Sachin Tendulkar playbook.
It was a fitting response to those who questioned Kohli’s future in the ODI setup. A sublime 120-ball 135 proved that Kohli is here to stay. The next World Cup may be two years away, but Sunday’s knock was a reminder of the tremendous value that Kohli brings to the national team.
The Kohli masterclass led India to a narrow 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI. Fighting knocks from Matthew Breetzke (72, 80b, 8×4, 1×6), Marco Jansen (70, 39b, 8×4, 3×6) and Corbin Bosch (67, 51b, 5×4, 4×6) threatened to ruin the Kohli party, but the home side had just enough in the tank to sneak through.
The sense of nostalgia peaked when Kohli and Rohit Sharma come together for a 136-run second wicket partnership. Rohit, who like Kohli is active only in the ODI format, made the most of an early reprieve handed by a Tony de Zorzi drop catch.
Rohit took apart off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen with massive slog sweeps. A trademark pull to a short ball from Jansen took Rohit past Shahid Afridi for the most number of sixes hit in ODI history.
Kohli and Rohit also defied their stature as senior statesman by displaying admirable fitness. The lean Rohit pulled off athletic saves in the field, while Kohli ran at full tilt between the wickets even in the latter stages of his knock.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad – both fighting to establish themselves in the eleven – could not cash in. Jaiswal edged a quick delivery from Nandre Burger, while Ruturaj was taken out by a flying one-handed grab by Dewald Brevis at point.
India slowed down when Washington Sundar (13, 19b, 1×6) was at the crease. Stand in skipper K.L. Rahul (60, 56b, 2×4, 3×6), batting at six, could not provide an explosive finish.
South Africa would have fancied its chances of chasing down the 350-run target, given that dew made bowling second difficult.
India vs South Africa highlights
A fiery opening spell from Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, however, put a big dent. Rana ran through Ryan Rickleton and Quinton de Kock with raw pace, and Arshdeep prised out captain Aiden Markram to leave South Africa reeling at 11 for three.
Breetzke and Jansen later turned the tide with a rapid 97-run stand for the sixth wicket. Jansen carted the bowlers all over the park, bringing the required rate down to seven as a result.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav inflicted a double blow to bring India back into the contest. Bosch continued to fight, bringing the equation to 18 runs needed off the last over bowled by Prasidh Krishna.
A miscue from Bosch landed in Rohit’s hands at cover, allowing India and man of the hour Kohli to heave a sigh of relief.
Published on Nov 30, 2025
