India Clinches Thriller Against South Africa, Takes 1-0 Lead in ODI Series

India Clinches Thriller Against South Africa, Takes 1-0 Lead in ODI Series

Ranchi, December 1, 2025 — In a thrilling, high-scoring opening match of the three-game One Day International series, India defeated South Africa by 17 runs at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. The victory was anchored by a record-breaking century from Virat Kohli and timely bowling spells from Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana.

Kohli Masterclass Anchors India’s Total of 349/8

After South Africa won the toss and elected to field, India posted a commanding total of 349/8 in their 50 overs, built around a masterful innings from the former captain, Virat Kohli.

• Virat Kohli (135 off 120 balls): The Player of the Match delivered a vintage ODI performance, striking 11 fours and 7 sixes. His century was his 52nd in ODIs, officially making him the batter with the most centuries in a single format (surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 51 Test centuries).

• Key Partnerships: Kohli stitched a vital 136-run partnership for the second wicket with opener Rohit Sharma (57 off 51 balls). Rohit’s fluent half-century was notable for his two sixes, which saw him break Shahid Afridi’s record to become the highest six-hitter in ODI history with 352 sixes.

• Late Boost: Stand-in captain KL Rahul (60 off 56 balls) provided a crucial late surge, ensuring India crossed the 340-run mark.

Proteas Show Valiant Fight in Nerve-Wracking Chase

The Proteas’ chase of 350 got off to a disastrous start, collapsing to 11/3 after a brilliant new-ball spell from young pacer Harshit Rana (3/65), who dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the same over.

However, the middle and lower order staged a phenomenal fightback:

• Matthew Breetzke (72 off 80 balls) and Marco Jansen (70 off 39 balls) added a brilliant 97-run partnership to put the chase back on track.

• Corbin Bosch (67 off 51 balls) played a sensational late-innings cameo, hammering the Indian bowlers in the death overs. With his aggression, South Africa dragged the match right down to the wire, needing just 18 runs off the final over.

Kuldeep’s Timely Strikes Seal the Deal

India’s victory was ultimately secured by the spin wizardry of Kuldeep Yadav (4/68), whose timely wickets prevented South Africa from building a match-winning momentum.

• Kuldeep delivered the critical double-blow in the 34th over, dismissing both set batters, Breetzke and Jansen, in the space of just three balls, completely shifting the game’s momentum back to India.

• Despite Bosch’s late heroics, veteran pacer Prasidh Krishna held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Bosch on the second ball to bowl out South Africa for 332 in 49.2 overs.

India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The two teams will now travel to Raipur for the 2nd ODI on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

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