During the first ODI at Ranchi, Virat was at his vintage best, slamming a 120-ball 135, with 11 fours and seven sixes, with his runs coming at a strike rate of over 112.
401/3 is still the highest ODI total India has scored against South Africa. The Men in Blue achieved this feat in Gwalior in 2010 when legendary Sachin Tendulkar scored a memorable double century. Team India won the game by 153 runs after the Proteas were bundled out for 248 runs.
The ODI series opener against South Africa was nothing short of a carnival for the fans as India batted. Virat, along with Rohit Sharma put a 136-run stand for the second wicket. Also, he scored 135 in 120 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes, scoring his runs at a stunning strike rate of
Virat Kohli's brilliant 135 in 120 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes, led India to a massive score, with Rohit Sharma (57 in 51 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and KL Rahul (60 in 56 balls, with two fours and three sixes) also chipping in useful fifties. SA needs 350 runs to win.
The three-match ODI series against South Africa also marks the return of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Speaking on the JioStar, India pacer Arshdeep Singh said that both cricketers' bats will talk rather than words.
South Africa will clash with India in the first ODI of the three-match series at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. The ODI series follows India's humiliating 2-0 defeat by the Proteas, during which Team India struggled in both batting and bowling.
The return of star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is expected to boost the Indian team's morale, especially with their impressive ODI records in India. Kohli holds the record for the most ODI centuries in India with 24, while Rohit has 14.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video showcasing the duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma going full throttle in a practice session ahead of the first India vs South Africa ODI of the two-match series, set to kick off on November 30 at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.
Comedian and actor Vir Das has once again tapped into the collective mood of Mumbai, this time with a sharp, humorous take on the city's worsening air quality.
KL Rahul said that having the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in the team makes the dressing room feel confident, ahead of the India vs South Africa ODI series, set to kick off from November 30 at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.