In a thrilling encounter, India faced South Africa in the first One Day International (ODI) held in Ranchi. India batted first, posting a challenging total of 349 runs for 8 wickets. Virat Kohli shone brightly with an impressive 135 runs, marking his 52nd ODI century. He was well-supported by KL Rahul, who added 60 runs.
India’s Batting Performance
As the innings unfolded, Rohit Sharma contributed a solid fifty before departing for 50 runs. The innings started briskly with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 18 runs before falling to Nandre Burger. After a shaky beginning, Kohli and Rahul stabilized the innings, leading to an assertive finish.
Key Contributions
- Virat Kohli: 135 runs off 122 balls
- KL Rahul: 60 runs
- Rohit Sharma: 50 runs
- Ravindra Jadeja: 32 runs
India’s innings reached 349 runs in 50 overs, making it their second-highest ODI total against South Africa. Their highest remains 401 runs, achieved in 2010.
South Africa’s Response
In response, South Africa began their innings cautiously but quickly found themselves in trouble, losing their first three wickets for just 11 runs. Harshit Rana led the charge, striking twice in his opening over, which put immense pressure on the South African batting lineup.
Counter-Attack by Breetzke and De Zorzi
Despite the initial setbacks, Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi began a counter-attack, finding boundaries off Indian bowlers to keep their chase alive. Breetzke’s aggressive batting included a six pulled over square leg, and both players formed a crucial partnership to halt the collapse.
- Matthew Breetzke: Played a vital role with his attacking shots.
- Tony de Zorzi: Joined Breetzke to form a strong partnership.
However, Breetzke’s efforts were not enough to overcome the mounting pressure, as he eventually fell to Arshdeep Singh.
Match Stats
| Team | Innings | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1st Innings | 349 | 8 |
| South Africa | 2nd Innings |
Despite a spirited fightback from Breetzke and de Zorzi, South Africa faced severe difficulties, ultimately falling short in their pursuit of the 350-run target.
