Cricket / Kohli Shines, Bowlers Hold Nerve as India Edge South Africa by 17 Runs
·4 months ago·3 min read
Key Points
- Virat Kohli hammered a majestic 135, his 52nd ODI hundred, to lift India to 349 in Ranchi.
- Kuldeep Yadav (4/68), Harshit Rana (3/54) and Arshdeep Singh (2/64) derailed South Africa’s chase despite heavy dew.
- Marco Jansen’s 70 off 39 and SA’s late charge fell short, with Prasidh Krishna defending 18 in the final over.
Ranchi, Nov 30: Virat Kohli chose Ranchi to remind the cricketing world why he remains the gold standard of ODI batting, producing a majestic 135 that lifted India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the opening ODI at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. Coming off a stinging Test-series defeat, India needed a statement, and Kohli delivered with his 52nd ODI hundred, anchoring a formidable 349 and dragging India out of weeks of gloom.
South Africa, buoyed by their historic Test triumph, pushed the chase deep but fell short in a tense finale. Prasidh Krishna defended 18 runs in the last over to seal a high-scoring thriller. Despite heavy dew aiding stroke-making, India’s bowlers kept chipping away. Harshit Rana’s incisive 3/54, Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/68 and Arshdeep Singh’s 2/64 ensured the visitors never got ahead of the rate.
Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70 off 39) threatened to turn the game, the latter smashing South Africa’s fastest ODI fifty in India. But once Kuldeep removed both, the visitors’ chase lost its edge.
Jansen Kept SA Alive
Chasing 350, South Africa collapsed early as Rana struck twice in his first over, removing Rickelton and de Kock to leave them 7 for 2. Arshdeep added Markram to make it 11 for 3. De Zorzi and Breetzke rebuilt with a brisk stand until Kuldeep’s drift and turn trapped de Zorzi. Dewald Brevis counterattacked with a 36 off 27, but Rana removed him after a sharp short-ball sequence.
Breetzke steadied again, but Jansen’s blistering 70 -- three sixes and five fours -- reignited the chase before Kuldeep’s return spell broke South Africa’s momentum. Once Breetzke picked out long-on and Subrayen fell, the equation became too steep with only the tail left.
Kohli Roars in Ranchi
Earlier, Kohli’s 135 off 120 balls, laced with seven sixes and 11 fours, formed the spine of India’s innings. His 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57) set the tone on a flat pitch. After Jaiswal fell early, the RoKo pair dominated an erratic South African attack until Jansen trapped Rohit. India wobbled briefly as Gaikwad and Sundar fell cheaply, but Kohli pushed on, manipulating the softer ball expertly.
Kohli’s acceleration came during Subrayen’s spell, from whom he plundered 21 in an over. Rahul’s steady 60 aided the surge as India posted 349. A brief security scare unfolded when a fan breached the field to touch Kohli’s feet after his hundred, but play resumed unharmed.
Also Read: Virat Kohli's 52nd ODI Century Celebration Marred by Shocking Security Lapse.
For India, the night belonged to Kohli -- still shaping the present even as the future beckons.
South Africa, buoyed by their historic Test triumph, pushed the chase deep but fell short in a tense finale. Prasidh Krishna defended 18 runs in the last over to seal a high-scoring thriller. Despite heavy dew aiding stroke-making, India’s bowlers kept chipping away. Harshit Rana’s incisive 3/54, Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/68 and Arshdeep Singh’s 2/64 ensured the visitors never got ahead of the rate.
Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70 off 39) threatened to turn the game, the latter smashing South Africa’s fastest ODI fifty in India. But once Kuldeep removed both, the visitors’ chase lost its edge.
Jansen Kept SA Alive
Chasing 350, South Africa collapsed early as Rana struck twice in his first over, removing Rickelton and de Kock to leave them 7 for 2. Arshdeep added Markram to make it 11 for 3. De Zorzi and Breetzke rebuilt with a brisk stand until Kuldeep’s drift and turn trapped de Zorzi. Dewald Brevis counterattacked with a 36 off 27, but Rana removed him after a sharp short-ball sequence.
Breetzke steadied again, but Jansen’s blistering 70 -- three sixes and five fours -- reignited the chase before Kuldeep’s return spell broke South Africa’s momentum. Once Breetzke picked out long-on and Subrayen fell, the equation became too steep with only the tail left.
Kohli Roars in Ranchi
Earlier, Kohli’s 135 off 120 balls, laced with seven sixes and 11 fours, formed the spine of India’s innings. His 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57) set the tone on a flat pitch. After Jaiswal fell early, the RoKo pair dominated an erratic South African attack until Jansen trapped Rohit. India wobbled briefly as Gaikwad and Sundar fell cheaply, but Kohli pushed on, manipulating the softer ball expertly.
Kohli’s acceleration came during Subrayen’s spell, from whom he plundered 21 in an over. Rahul’s steady 60 aided the surge as India posted 349. A brief security scare unfolded when a fan breached the field to touch Kohli’s feet after his hundred, but play resumed unharmed.
Also Read: Virat Kohli's 52nd ODI Century Celebration Marred by Shocking Security Lapse.
For India, the night belonged to Kohli -- still shaping the present even as the future beckons.
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