India Won By 17 Run Again South Africa

India Won By 17 Run Again South Africa Thriller in Ranchi! the 1st ODI, powered by Virat Kohli’s record 52nd ODI hundred and a decisive 4-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav.

Kohli’s Masterclass and Pacers’ Power Seal Thrilling 17-Run Victory for India in 1st ODI

Ranchi, November 30, 2025: In a riveting start to the three-match One Day International series, India clinched a hard-fought 17-run victory over South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The win, anchored by a record-breaking century from the legendary Virat Kohli and a crucial bowling effort, puts the hosts 1-0 up in the series after a stunning contest that went down to the penultimate over.

India’s Innings: The King’s 52nd Crown

South Africa’s stand-in captain, Aiden Markram, won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision he might have regretted as India’s top order put on a batting masterclass, posting a commanding total of 349/8 in their 50 overs.

The early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal brought Virat Kohli to the crease, who, alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, laid a magnificent foundation. The veteran duo rolled back the years, forging a spectacular 136-run partnership off just 109 balls. Rohit was his customary aggressive self, smashing a fluent 57 off 51 balls, which included five fours and three sixes. Crucially, during this innings, Rohit surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the player with the most sixes in ODI history.

The real spectacle, however, belonged to Kohli. The former India captain was a picture of patience and aggression, overcoming a challenging mid-innings slowdown to register his record-extending 52nd ODI century. Kohli’s monumental innings of 135 off 120 balls, decorated with 11 fours and 7 sixes, was the backbone of India’s total. This magnificent feat also saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 51 Test centuries, making him the only player to score more than 51 international hundreds in a single format.

Following Rohit’s dismissal, the innings was expertly managed by interim captain KL Rahul, who continued his fine form with a responsible half-century (60 off 56 balls). Rahul’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 20 balls) provided the late-innings acceleration required to push the score well past the 340-mark. For the Proteas, the pacers shared the spoils, with Ottneil Baartman (2/60), Corbin Bosch (2/66), Marco Jansen (2/72), and Nandre Burger (2/79) all chipping in with two wickets apiece in a tough day for the bowlers.

South Africa’s Chase: A Valiant, Nail-Biting Effort

Chasing a massive target of 350, South Africa’s start was disastrous. India‘s young fast bowlers, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, tore through the top order, reducing the Proteas to a precarious 15/3 within the first five overs. Harshit Rana struck first, removing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, before Arshdeep dismissed the dangerous Aiden Markram cheaply.

The recovery was led by a solid partnership between Matthew Breetzke and the in-form all-rounder Marco Jansen. Breetzke played with maturity, scoring a composed 72, while Jansen carried on his blistering form from the preceding Test series, smashing 70 to keep the visitors in the hunt. Their efforts kept the required rate in check and instilled hope in the South African dressing room.

However, the introduction of spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav changed the complexion of the game. Kuldeep’s tricky variations accounted for a massive middle-order collapse, sending back Breetzke and Jansen in quick succession, and finishing with a decisive spell that yielded 4 wickets.

Despite the mounting pressure and loss of wickets, the lower order, particularly Corbin Bosch, refused to surrender. Bosch launched a spectacular counter-attack, raining sixes and boundaries to bring the equation down to a tense final few overs. His valiant, high-pressure half-century kept Indian fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. With 18 runs needed off the final over, Bosch’s valiant effort was cut short on the second-to-last ball of the match, caught off Harshit Rana, ensuring India secured the victory. South Africa were eventually bowled out for 332 in 49.2 overs, falling short by 17 runs.