Ranchi, Nov 30 (UNI) Powered by a sublime century from Virat Kohli and an aggressive Rohit Sharma fifty, India posted a commanding 349 for 8 in 50 overs against South Africa in the first ODI at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here on Sunday.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl, but India’s top order dominated from the outset on a true batting surface.
Kohli anchored the innings with a majestic 135 off 120 balls, decorated with 11 fours and 7 sixes. His 52nd ODI hundred arrived in style as he steered Marco Jansen past third man, leaping in celebration to the delight of the packed Ranchi fans.
Rohit smashed 57 off 51 balls and in the process broke the world record for most ODI sixes, overtaking Shahid Afridi with his 352nd maximum. His innings included three sixes and five fours before Marco Jansen trapped him leg-before.
KL Rahul played a fluent 60 off 56 balls, reaching his fifty off Corbin Bosch with a flick through mid-wicket. Rahul later executed a spectacular reverse-scoop six off Jansen, drawing loud applause.
Ravindra Jadeja provided a late boost with a brisk 32 off 20 balls, striking a six and two boundaries before falling to Bosch at long-on.
South Africa pulled things back in the final overs through disciplined death bowling. Bosch finished with 2 for 66, Jansen 2 for 76, Ottneil Baartman 2 for 60 and Burger 2 for 65.
Bosch removed Jadeja and Arshdeep off successive balls in the 49th over, narrowly missing a hat-trick. In the final ball of the innings, Kuldeep Yadav collected two leg byes after a missed reverse-lap attempt, aided by a misfield and a poor review from South Africa.
Key moments through the innings included Washington Sundar’s ramped six, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal via a flying catch from Dewald Brevis, and Kohli’s breathtaking sequence of four, six and six off Prenelan Subrayen that shifted momentum firmly in India’s favour.
India’s innings featured early fireworks too, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hammering 18 off 16 before edging Burger behind. Rohit and Kohli then added a dominant century stand, taking India to 161 for 1 by the 22nd over.
Innings summary:
India 349-8 in 50 overs (Kohli 135, Rohit 57, Rahul 60, Jadeja 32; Jansen 2-76, Burger 2-65, Baartman 2-60, Bosch 2-66)
South Africa will begin their chase after the innings break.
