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Virat Kohli’s century led India to a 17-run win over South Africa at JSCA. Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh starred as India took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.
Virat Kohliu bags the Player of the Match Award as India beat South Africa by 17 runs
Virat Kohli underscored his enduring significance to India’s ODI team with a meticulously crafted century that propelled his side to a 17-run victory over South Africa in the series opener on Sunday.
On a flat JSCA pitch, Kohli (135 off 120 balls) masterfully controlled the innings’ pace from the moment he arrived at the crease, anchoring India’s formidable total of 349 for eight with a blend of classical strokes and strategic acceleration.
Kohli’s 52nd ODI century proved crucial as South Africa’s chase faltered early under sustained Indian pressure.
Harshit Rana’s (3/54) triple strike, along with support from pacer Arshdeep Singh (2/64) and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/68), ensured India took wickets whenever South Africa threatened to break free, eventually dismissing them for 332.
Despite Marco Jansen’s aggressive 70 and Matthew Breetzke’s composed 72, South Africa could not avoid defeat as India comfortably secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kuldeep’s double strike in the 34th over, following a brisk 97-run stand between Breetzke and Jansen, proved decisive. The astute left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed both batsmen within three deliveries.
Dew also played a role, making it challenging for Indian bowlers to grip the ball under lights, allowing South Africa some easy runs.
Needing 18 runs off the final over with nine wickets down, Prasidh Krishna sealed the win by dismissing Corbin Bosch (67) with the second delivery.
Earlier, Kohli’s commanding knock came off 120 balls, featuring seven sixes and 11 fours. His 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57 off 51) for the second wicket set up India’s substantial total on a placid JSCA surface.
With Kohli no longer part of T20Is and no ODIs scheduled for India after the New Zealand series in January, each ODI outing now carries added significance.
The 36-year-old responded with his trademark authority, reminding selectors and team management of his dependability in the format.
Rohit, dropped on 1, capitalised by scoring 57 before being trapped by Jansen. Their 136-run partnership in the much-anticipated ‘Ro-Ko’ show provided confidence to both stalwarts and the team management about their continued relevance at the highest level.
South Africa’s top order crumbled under relentless Indian pressure, with Rana’s incisive new-ball spell reducing the visitors to 11 for 3 in the fifth over. Rana dismissed Ryan Rickelton (0) and Quinton de Kock (0) in quick succession, and captain Aiden Markram’s brief resistance ended on 7 when he edged Arshdeep.
Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi (39 off 35) attempted to rebuild with a 66-run stand, but Kuldeep trapped de Zorzi lbw at 77 for 4. Dewald Brevis (37 off 28) added momentum with three sixes, but Rana returned to claim his third wicket, ending the youngster’s charge at 130 for 5 in the 22nd over, effectively extinguishing any realistic hopes of a contest.
The Ro-Ko Show
On a flat pitch, the Proteas bowlers struggled to maintain a probing line and length.
Kohli walked in early after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 18 ended with a faint edge off Nandre Burger, and the Ranchi crowd eagerly anticipated a noteworthy reunion.
Rohit, dropped by Tony de Zorzi at mid-wicket, used the reprieve to settle before unleashing a flurry of boundaries against Jansen and Bosch. He struck Jansen for two boundaries in five balls and punished Bosch’s deliveries with ease and authority.
Kohli, in vintage form, signalled his intent with a six over mid-off off Burger, followed by a silken cover drive. As South Africa’s pacers struggled with line and length, the pair advanced swiftly, prompting stand-in captain Aiden Markram to introduce off-spinner Pranelan Subrayen, though the runs continued to flow.
Kohli raised his half-century with a six off Bosch, while Rohit reached his fifty with a single as India crossed the 100-run mark quickly.
Jansen eventually trapped Rohit leg before, momentarily slowing India’s scoring as Kohli entered a phase of limited strike.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar, promoted to No. 5, fell in quick succession to Ottneil Baartman, halting the early charge.
However, Kohli remained steadfast.
By smartly rotating strike and capitalising on loose balls, he ensured India maintained momentum. After completing his hundred, a fervent fan breached security to kneel before his ‘King’ and touch his feet before being escorted away.
Notably, Kohli’s ability to accelerate even with a soft ball, now restricted to one after 34 overs, was impressive. When captain KL Rahul (60) struggled against Subrayen, Kohli scored 21 runs off the spinner with two sixes and a four.
Although the 2027 World Cup is still some time away, Kohli demonstrated that his form and hunger remain undiminished.
(With PTI Inputs)
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
Ranchi, India, India
November 30, 2025, 22:49 IST
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