1st ODI: India brush past South Africa in close encounter, take 1-0 lead in three-match series
Ranchi, Nov 30 (LatestNewsX) – India narrowly escaped defeat to India’s arch‑rivals but emerged victorious after a tense first One‑Day International, snatching a 17‑run win at the JSCA International Stadium Complex and taking the opening game of the three‑match series 1‑0.
India set the tone early with a robust first‑innings total, bolstered by Virat Kohli’s magnificent century and key half‑centuries from Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul. Despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal to Nandre Burger at the outbreak, Rohit and Kohli forged a fluent 136‑run partnership that steadied the chase. Rohit, a brisk 57 off 51 balls, broke Shahid Afridi’s long‑standing record for ODI sixes when Marco Jansen took him lbw. Ruturaj Gaikwad was robbed of a substantial contribution by Dewald Brevis’s sharp catch, while Washington Sundar chipped in with 17 before falling to Ottneil Baartman.
Kohli continued his flawless form, registering his 52nd ODI hundred and 83rd international ton. He accelerated dramatically after reaching three figures, smashing two fours and two sixes. Rahul steadied the innings with a calm 60, adding a vital 76‑run stand with Kohli before the opener was sent off for 135. Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja then pushed India to a sizeable 349/8, even after a brief collapse that saw wickets fall to Jansen and Corbin Bosch.
The chase began grimly for South Africa, who were rattled by a potent Indian bowling attack. Harshit Rana, entrusted with the second over, made an instant impact, dismissing Ryan Rickelton on his very first ball after a packed wide. De Kock tried a defiant push but was out to an edge, leaving the visitors with a cracked pair of stumps. Rana continued his spell, taking a wicket on the next ball too, while arming his side with a second ball dismissal that sent the South Africa side scrambling.
Arshdeep Singh followed up in the fifth over, luring Aiden Markram onto a line ball that produced a sharp edge – a catch to Rahul. Markram’s wicket left South Africa three down early, making the pressure mount further. The top order was roped out in the power‑play, and with the required run rate surging, India’s bowlers maintained a tight hold.
Matt Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings after the collapse, sharing a 66‑run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their partnership collapsed when Kuldeep Yadav trapped de Zorzi lbw. Breetzke then paired up with Dewald Brevis, both pushing runs as the support fractured when Jansen’s aggressive and spirited knock lifted the target within striking distance. The spinner’s entry in the 34th over proved decisive, as he dismissed Jansen and Breetzke in quick succession, making headway for India.
A brief lull came when Renlan Subrayen and Bosch offered resistance, but Kuldeep’s fourth wicket of the day—sent packing de Zorzi in that spell’s final over—bowled the men of Kings Farce in. Up to the 46th over, the game hung in the balance, though Arshdeep’s glorious wicket of Burger kept the contest poised.
With just one wicket to spare for India, Bosch produced a steady innings, edging ever closer to a half‑score. The stage was set for a dramatic conclusion, as South Africa needed 19 from the final six deliveries. A mis‑hit by Bosch triggered a fumble, allowing Rohit to lift a brilliant catch and secure India’s hard earned victory.
In an innings that was a blend of batting flair and disciplined bowling, Prasidh Krishna finally sealed the result, giving India a slender 17‑run win and staking a 1‑0 advantage in the series.
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