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India won a thrilling first ODI by 17 runs against South Africa in Ranchi. The three match series is now 1 0 in favor of India. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had vintage innings in the first half of the match, which was played under pleasant evening conditions and a packed Sunday crowd. India’s victories were sealed by the hard work of Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled the most crucial spells.
India, after losing the toss for the 19th consecutive time in ODIs, made full use of the hard new ball in bright sunshine. The early strike of the Jaiswal got Kohli and Rohit together, and the duo brought back the days of their best with a 136 run partnership in only 21.2 overs. Kohli was very aggressive and uncharacteristically from him in the early powerplay he hit two sixes, whereas Rohit was very much his usual self by doing the slog sweeps and pulls.
Kohli on his part was keeping the middle overs tight and building good partnerships, but Rohit went all out and in the very next ball he hit a six that made him the leading six hitter in ODIs. In the very next over, a yorker from Jansen got him LBW. It was Kohli’s unwavering determination, however, that saw India through the tricky middle stage when the pitch got slower and new batsmen found it difficult. After 102 balls, he hit his 25th ODI hundred for the first time since last February and was very emotional while celebrating it with a rare gesture. Then he went on the attack and finished with his innings of 135 which included seven 6’s. India, thanks to KL Rahul’s composed 60, managed to set a challenging target of 349 for 8 wickets.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s reply did not go as planned at all. Harshit Rana was at his dream best in the first over and as a result of his assistance, Rickelton and de Kock both for nought were the batsmen to be dismissed. Arshdeep Singh got Aiden Markram to follow the rest soon after to drop the visitors to 11 for 3.
After that the games look quite even and the South African team managed to stay alive through several key partnerships. However, the Indian bowler succeeded in being the pivotal figure for the Saffers. Once again turning the game around with a couple of dismissals in the same over, Kuldeep Yadav was also the reason that the last over drama unfold with Corbin Bosch having to face the final balls of the innings.
India triumph was directly linked to their blazing batting and the quick wickets they took in the beginning, which barely were enough to fight off the hard dew conditions and South African determination to come back strong.
