A stunning knock from Virat Kohli and a combined effort from bowlers have helped the hosts to secure a thrilling 17-run victory against the Proteas in the first ODI match in the South Africa tour of India 2025.

Virat Kohli’s 135 runs knock and bowling brilliance has helped India to secure 1-0 lead in the ODI series.

After being invited to bat first, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma opened the innings while Marco Jansen opened the bowling attack.

Despite Jaiswal’s dismissal for an 18-run knock, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli forged a 136-run partnership for the second wicket.

With Rohit Sharma making a fifty, he got dismissed by Marco Jansen in the 22nd over. After Ruturaj Gaikwad and Washington Sundar’s cheap dismissals for 8 and 13, Virat Kohli went on to slam his 100 and completed his 52nd ODI century.

Virat Kohli went on to score 135 runs off 120 deliveries, which included 11 fours and 7 sixes before being dismissed by Nandre Burger.

On the other hand, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja made a crucial contribution, adding up 60 and 32 runs before being dismissed by Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch.

With Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav at the crease, India went on to score 349 runs in their 50-over innings.

Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger and Ottneil Baartman bagged two wickets each.

Chasing the 350 run target, South Africa’s top order failed to give a kick start as Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock got dismissed for duck while Aiden Markram got dismissed for 7 runs.

After a mini collapse, South Africa got back in the innings, with solid knocks from Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi adding up 79 and 39 runs.

With Dewald Brevis adding up 37 runs, Marco Jansen made a quick 70 off 39 deliveries. After Subrayen added up 17 runs, Corbin Bosch went to take a strong stance fighting up during the chase.

Bosch went on to slam fifty, giving hope for South Africa in Ranchi. With Corbin Bosch got dismissed for 67 runs, South Africa went on to lose all 10 wickets for 332 runs in the final over.

Virat Kohli was named the player of the Match. The second ODI match of the series will be played on December 03 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur.