India edge South Africa in tense opener to take 1-0 lead in three-match ODI series

India survived a scare and sailed past South Africa in a closely fought encounter to claim a 17-run victory in the first ODI and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. It was a tough battle between the batters of both sides, and a contest offering several lessons.

India put up a commanding first-innings total, driven by a superb century from Virat Kohli and vital fifties from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. After being asked to bat, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early to Nandre Burger, but Rohit and Kohli quickly seized control.

The experienced pair stitched together a fluent 136-run stand, taking the pressure off after the early setback. Rohit reached a brisk fifty-seven off fifty-one balls and broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for most ODI sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him lbw.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s brief stay ended with a stunning catch from Dewald Brevis, and Washington Sundar added a steady 17 before falling to Ottneil Baartman. Kohli, meanwhile, continued unruffled, bringing up his 52nd ODI hundred and 83rd international ton. He accelerated sharply after reaching three figures, taking on Prenelan Subrayen with two fours and two sixes.

Rahul provided strong support with a well-paced 60 adding 76 crucial runs with Kohli. After Kohli’s dismissal for 135, Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja pushed India towards a big finish with a 65-run partnership. However, a late mini-collapse, including wickets from Jansen and Corbin Bosch, restricted India to 349/8 — still a formidable target for the Proteas.

Chasing 350, South Africa were rocked early as India’s bowling attack came out firing. Harshit Rana, entrusted with the second over, made an immediate impact with his very first legal delivery. After starting with a wide, the pacer found his rhythm instantly, producing a sharp, good-length ball that jagged back into Ryan Rickelton. The opener offered a loose defensive push and paid the price as his stumps were shattered.

Rana was not done. Just a ball later, he struck again to leave the visitors stunned. Quinton de Kock, newly arrived at the crease, chased a full delivery well outside off. The ball moved away enough to catch the outside edge, and Rahul made no mistake behind the stumps. De Kock departed for a duck, and South Africa were reduced to rubble.

In the fifth over, Arshdeep Singh extended India’s dominance with a beautifully angled delivery to skipper Aiden Markram. Fishing at a ball moving away from him, Markram managed only a thick edge, and Rahul completed another clean catch. The captain fell for seven off fifteen, leaving South Africa three down and in deep trouble within the first few overs.

With the top order dismantled and the required rate towering, South Africa’s chase wobbled heavily as India’s bowlers remained firmly in command through the Powerplay. Good strategic bowling from Prasidh Krishna to close out the tenth over handed the hosts the upper hand early.

Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi anchored the innings well after the early damage and shared a 66-run stand for the fourth wicket, but the latter’s stay ended when Kuldeep Yadav trapped him lbw.

Brevis then showed composure and took on the bowlers as he joined Breetzke to pile on runs. India’s attack kept receiving threats from the middle order, but they struck at key moments, with Brevis and Breetzke’s partnership lasting fifty-three runs.

Jansen’s knock, however, surprised and rattled India as the tall all-rounder played a whirlwind innings to push his team closer to the target. Breetzke played second fiddle as Jansen confidently took on the bowlers to close the gap.

Just then, in the 34th over, a change in bowling and the move to bring Kuldeep back into the attack worked wonders for India as the spinner dismissed both Jansen and Breetzke inside three deliveries, allowing the hosts to exhale.

Subrayen and Bosch provided respite for their teammates, but Kuldeep picked up his fourth wicket by removing the former in his final over. Bosch and Burger stretched the game as far as they could, but Arshdeep’s strike in the forty-sixth over to dismiss Burger kept the match balanced.

With India needing just one wicket, Bosch kept everyone on edge and gradually reached his half-century as the visitors hoped for a dramatic finish. It all came down to the last over, with South Africa needing nineteen from the final six balls. But the fight ended when a mis-hit from Bosch gave Rohit a simple catch, sealing India’s win.

Prasidh Krishna applied the finishing touch as India secured a seventeen-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.  |  IANS

SCORECARD

India 349/8

Virat Kohli 135, KL Rahul 60; Ottneil Baartman 2/60, Nandre Burger 2/65

South Africa 332 all out in 49.2 overs

Matthew Breetzke 72, Marco Jansen 70, Corbin Bosch 67, Tony de Zorzi 39, Dewald Brevis 37; Kuldeep Yadav 4/68, Harshit Rana 3/65, Arshdeep Singh 2/64

India won by 17 runs