The India vs South Africa 1st ODI delivered a thrilling contest in Ranchi as India claimed a 17-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Although the visitors fought back repeatedly under dew, India’s senior stars and young bowlers combined just enough to protect a challenging 349.
Kohli Leads with a Magnificent 135
The India vs South Africa 1st ODI began with early pressure when Yashasvi Jaiswal fell quickly, yet Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma responded with a vintage 136-run stand. Consequently, the crowd witnessed two major milestones—Kohli extending his world record for ODI hundreds and Rohit surpassing Shahid Afridi for most ODI sixes.
Rohit powered his way to 57 with three sixes before a low delivery cut him short. Meanwhile, Kohli adapted to the slowing surface by rotating strike smartly until he reached his century. As the innings progressed, he shifted gears again, smashing seven sixes overall. KL Rahul added a composed 60, taking India to 349 despite South Africa’s superb death overs from Corbin Bosch.
THE KING IS BACK! 👑
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) November 30, 2025
Virat Kohli smashes a majestic CENTURY in the 1st ODI against South Africa! 💯
The Run Machine conquers Ranchi again.
What a knock! 🇮🇳
📸:Getty#ViratKohli #KingKohli #INDvSA #Century #TeamIndia #WicketBuzz pic.twitter.com/JlQaMoY8gd
Harshit Rana’s Early Burst Shapes the India vs South Africa 1st ODI
Harshit Rana set the tone for India in the second innings. Swinging the new ball both ways, he removed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock for ducks. Additionally, Arshdeep Singh dismissed Aiden Markram to leave South Africa reeling at 11 for 3.
Once dew settled in, the conditions flipped completely. Bowling became harder, and South Africa capitalised through Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen and Dewald Brevis. Their partnerships of 66, 60 and 97 revived the chase impressively.
INDIA WINS A THRILLER! 🇮🇳
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) November 30, 2025
Team India survives a scare to beat South Africa by 17 runs in Ranchi! Kohli’s masterclass (135) and Kuldeep’s spin web (4/68) seal the 1-0 lead. What a game! 🔥
📸:Getty#INDvSA #TeamIndia #ViratKohli #KuldeepYadav pic.twitter.com/pxuMAGxeVE
Kuldeep’s Double Breakthrough Turns the India vs South Africa 1st ODI
Just as the target dipped to 123 off 17 overs, Kuldeep Yadav delivered the decisive blows. He removed Jansen on a long hop and dismissed Breetzke in the same over, shifting momentum back to India. Although Bosch’s fighting 67 stretched the chase deep, South Africa lacked support at the end. Arshdeep’s yorkers and a wicket-maiden sealed the result with 17 runs to spare.
