India’s seasoned duo Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma reunited in style, powering India to a formidable 349/8 before the hosts survived a fierce South African fightback to clinch a 17-run win in a final-over thriller in Ranchi on Sunday.
Kohli’s superb 135, his 52nd ODI hundred, formed the backbone of India’s innings. He began with caution before exploding into his signature end-overs acceleration. Rohit, in his first ODI since March, belted a brisk 57 off 51, breaking Shahid Afridi’s record for most ODI sixes.
Kohli’s superb 135, his 52nd ODI hundred, formed the backbone of India’s innings. He began with caution before exploding into his signature end-overs acceleration. Rohit, in his first ODI since March, belted a brisk 57 off 51, breaking Shahid Afridi’s record for most ODI sixes. KL Rahul, leading in Shubman Gill’s absence, added a composed 60 to push India towards a towering score.
I’d be lying if I said no butterflies. They pushed us hard, but the bowlers stuck to plans.
Early Collapse Rattles SA Before Middle Order Swings Back
Chasing 350, South Africa were blown away early. Harshit Rana, on his very first legal delivery in ODI cricket, bowled Rickelton, then dismissed Quinton de Kock two balls later. Arshdeep Singh added Aiden Markram to a fiery powerplay spell that reduced SA to 11/3.
Harshit’s tall, fast and willing to bowl the tough overs. Those new-ball wickets were exactly what we needed.
Despite the collapse, the visitors refused to fold. Matthew Breetzke (72) and Tony de Zorzi (39) rebuilt with a 66-run stand, followed by a counter-attacking 53-run partnership between Breetzke and Dewald Brevis (37).
Jansen, Bosch Threaten To Steal It
The real alarm for India came when Marco Jansen unleashed a whirlwind 70, taking on both pace and spin. Even as wickets fell around him, Jansen powered SA back into the contest. Just as the chase swelled dangerously, Kuldeep Yadav turned the match with two wickets in three balls, dismissing both Jansen and Breetzke in the 34th over.
We wanted to attack even though the ball was wet. You can’t just rely on stock balls, I mixed pace and angles. Jansen was hitting everywhere; his wicket changed the game.
Still, South Africa stretched the match deep, with Corbin Bosch’s valiant 67 off 51 taking the chase into the final over.
Kuldeep And Prasidh Close Out Tense Finish
Needing 19 off 6, South Africa’s hopes hinged on Bosch. But Prasidh Krishna held his nerve, inducing a mis-hit that Rohit Sharma claimed calmly, closing the match at 332 all out with four balls left.
They kept taking wickets when it mattered most. Kuldeep was outstanding. India now lead the three-match series 1-0.
Brief Scores: India 349/8 (Virat Kohli 135, KL Rahul 60; Baartman 2-60, Burger 2-65) South Africa 332 in 49.2 overs (Breetzke 72, Jansen 70, Bosch 67; Kuldeep 4-68, Rana 3-65, Arshdeep 2-64) India won by 17 runs.
