A commanding century from Virat Kohli, strong early strikes with the new ball, and disciplined middle-overs bowling helped India cricket team defeat South Africa cricket team by 17 runs in a gripping first ODI at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday, giving the hosts a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a daunting target of 350, South Africa suffered a dramatic collapse at the start, losing three wickets inside the first five overs. Harshit Rana wreaked havoc in his opening over, removing Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock for golden ducks. Arshdeep Singh then dismissed stand-in skipper Aiden Markram as the Proteas stumbled to 11 for 3.
The recovery came through Matthew Breetzke (72), Dewald Brevis (37), and Tony de Zorzi (39), who stitched together vital partnerships to keep South Africa in the hunt. The game tilted dramatically in the visitors’ favour when Marco Jansen unleashed a stunning 70 off just 39 balls, injecting fresh life into the chase. Corbin Bosch added further firepower with a blistering 67 from 51 deliveries.
With 18 runs needed off the final over, the match was poised on a knife’s edge. However, Bosch’s dismissal off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna sealed the contest in India’s favour, despite a late surge that had briefly threatened to pull off an unlikely win.
Earlier, after being put into bat by Markram, India posted a formidable 349 for 8, built around Kohli’s majestic 135 from 120 balls. The senior batter’s innings, laced with 11 boundaries and 7 sixes, marked his 52nd ODI century and reaffirmed his dominance in the format.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma added 136 runs for the second wicket, laying a rock-solid foundation. Rohit contributed a brisk 57 off 51 deliveries and, during his innings, surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the leading six-hitter in ODI history.
Captain KL Rahul (60) and Ravindra Jadeja (32) provided the late acceleration, ensuring India crossed the 340-mark on a batting-friendly Ranchi surface. While the South African all-rounders mounted a brave late assault, India’s early wickets and steady bowling in the death overs proved decisive.
