Proteas' fight in vain, India secures victory on Kohli's strength

RANCHI: India with victory in the first ODI against South Africa. Chasing a target of 350 runs, South Africa's reply ended at 332 runs in 49.2 overs. India won by 17 runs. India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The visitors made a spectacular comeback after the collapse of the top order, but India overcame the pressure and won. Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Match with a century that broke the Master Blaster's record.

Chasing a huge target, the Proteas faced an early setback. With just 11 runs on the scoreboard, they lost the wickets of captain Aiden Markram 7(15), Ryan Rickleton 0(1) and Quinton de Kock 0(2). The fourth wicket partnership of Tony de Zorzi 39(35) and Matthew Britsky 72(80) helped them recover. Kuldeep broke the partnership by dismissing Zorzi. Young substitute Dewald Brevis was dismissed for 37(28).

All-rounder Marco Jansen, who came in at number seven, brought South Africa close to victory. Jansen, who scored 70 runs off 39 balls, was dismissed by Kuldeep. Kuldeep also dismissed Britsky in the same over. The curtain fell on the South African innings when Corbin Bosch, who came in later, scored 67 runs off 51 balls but was dismissed in the last over. Prenelan Subrayen and Nandre Burger scored 17 runs each.

Kuldeep Yadav scalped four wickets and Harshit Rana took three wickets for India. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets while Prasidh Krishna took one wicket. Batting first, India scored 349 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Virat Kohli scored a century (135) (120). India built a good score with the help of captain KL Rahul 60 (56) and former captain Rohit Sharma 57 (51), who scored half-centuries. Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 32 runs off 20 balls.