Virat Kohli headlines charge as India prevail in high-scoring ODI thriller in Ranchi

Team India roared off to a winning start in the three-match ODI series as they edged past South Africa in a high-scoring thriller in the curtain-raiser in Ranchi. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli came alive in another show of dominance before late knocks of importance from KL Rahul propelled India to a mammoth total. However, South Africa fought back despite India’s early triumph, only to be cut short in the dying embers of the game.

Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl. Yashasvi Jaiswal (18) hunkered down to business straightaway, calling the shots emphatically before Nandre Burger got the better of him. That is when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma rolled out the carpet of brilliance, smashing the bowlers into all corners of the park.

Kohli (135) and Rohit Sharma (57) added 136 runs for the second wicket from just 109 balls. Kohli was the aggressor-in-chief while Rohit was happy to sit back and punish the looseners at will. However, the fall of Sharma complicated matters for Team India as they lost a few quick wickets in the middle.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar (13) fell in quick succession, allowing South Africa a chance to wrest back the momentum. However, with Kohli still in the center, India were rock solid in keeping the wheels in motion. The arrival of KL Rahul (60) allowed India to steady their ship and the duo of the former and Kohli added 76 runs for the fifth wicket.

Kohli finally succumbed to Nandre Burger after a marathon innings, smashing 11 fours and seven sixes in what was his 83rd international ton. Ravindra Jadeja (32) came up with a late charge, joining hands with KL Rahul, as they propelled India to 349/8 at the end of 50 overs.

Much to the surprise of South Africa, India rammed through their top-order even before they could realise what had hit them. Aiden Markram (7), Ryan Rickelton (0) and Quinton de Kock (0) were back to the pavilion in no time as the visitors wobbled at 11/3.

It was the arrival of Matthew Breetzke (72) who got the wheels rolling for the visitors. He found some decent support in Tony de Zorzi (39). It took some time for the Men in Blue to strike again but they were able to get the better of de Zorzi as Kuldeep Yadav rattled the partnership.

An incoming Dewald Brevis (37) added further resistance as South Africa started threatening. However, India was quick to dash Brevis’ defiance, reducing the visitors to 130/5. Despite being clearly in the driver’s seat for then, India were soon handed a reality check.

Marco Jansen (70) and Breetzke quickly knuckled down to steadying the Proteas ship before they went all guns blazing. The duo added 97 runs for the sixth wicket, once again offering hope to the visitors. It was Kuldeep Yadav who put an end to Jansen’s blitzkrieg, opening up the doors for India.

Much to their relief, Kuldeep struck again, removing Breetzke in quick succession as India came close. However, there was still some drama remaining as Corbin Bosch took over the reins. From an almost ineluctable situation, Bosch found unthinkable momentum, firing a 51-ball-67 as South Africa started hurtling towards the finishing line.

However, Kuldeep Yadav kept things in check, claiming Prenelan Subrayen (17) to put a dent on South Africa’s chase while Arshdeep Singh removed Nandre Burger (17). Eventually, it was Prasidh Krishna who snuffed out the Proteas resistance, removing Bosch as India secured a narrow 17-run-win.

Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the lot with figures of 4/68 while Harshit Rana complemented him well with figures of 3/65. Virat Kohli was the Player of the Match for his sensational century that saw India piling up the numbers on the board.