India is 1-0 up in the series heading to Raipur after the exploits of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav downed an Aiden Markram-led Proteas unit, which fell 17 runs short of a run-chase of 350 runs, despite fighting knocks from Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch.
Be it the 'Ro-Ko' show, the signature fighting spirit of South Africans or Kuldeep Yadav's spin web, the crowd at Ranchi was a witness to this all during the first ODI of the three-match series.
During the Ranchi ODI, both sides scored a massive 681 runs, outdoing their 662 runs scored during the clash at Wankhede in the 2015 series, which saw SA pile up 438/4 with centuries from Quinton de Kock (109), Faf Du Plessis (133) and AB de Villiers (119) and India crumbling to 224 all out
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan said that another century off Virat Kohli's bat was "inevitable" after the star Indian batter scored his 52nd ODI ton in the India vs South Africa match at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. While Wassan expressed joy for Virat's performance, he remained unsur
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has showered praise on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their magnificent performances during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday.
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.
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.