Skipper Virat Kohli’s century leads India to win 1st ODI against South Africa

Durban, February 2: Indian cricket team registered a comprehensive victory over South Africa in the First ODI by 6 wickets that was played in Kingsmead, Durban. Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s magnificent century made the target of 270 runs easy and also led his side to go up 1-0 up in the series.

 

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first and made a comprehensive total of 270 runs in their stipulated 50 overs inning. Faf Du Plessis also scoring a century led from the front and helped Africans to post a competitive total of 270 runs. Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav took 3 wickets while Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 2 wickets and wrecked the hosts' top-order with some fine spin bowling.

Chris Morris then joined Du Plessis at the crease and they started the rebuilding job for the hosts when they were reeling at 134/5. The duo batted cautiously but Morris lost his concentration and he was clean bowled by Kuldeep.

Later, a fine partnership of 56 runs between Du Plessis and Andille Phehlukwayo ensured the hosts crossed the 250-run mark, which at one point looked very unlikely. Du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada were dismissed in the last over of the innings, but 51 runs in the final five overs ensured that South Africa managed to post a fighting total of 269/8 in 50 overs.

Replying to South Africa’s 270 runs target, Indian team lost both the openers quickly after the innings started as Rohit Sharma on the ideal score of 20 runs and Shikhar Dhawan got run out at the score of 35 runs. But Kohli and Rahane applied themselves well and helped India chase the target with ease. But coming very close to the target, both Kohli and Rahane got out playing ordinary shots, and could not finish the match for India. It was MS Dhoni who took the Indian team to the victory, through a powerful pull towards mid-wicket.