Indian captain and star batsman Virat Kohli scored yet another century as India defeated South Africa convincingly by six wickets in the first ODI of the six-match series and with tha taking a 1-0 lead at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday.
India chased down the target of 270 runs in 45.3 overs, thanks to another magnificent century from King Kohli. This was his first limited over ton in South Africa. He eventually perished after scoring 112 runs off 119 balls.
Earlier South African captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first at Kingsmead on a good batting conditions.
Amla and De Kock got South Africa off to a decent start. Just when one thought that South Africa were on charge Bumrah trapped Amla leg before wicket for 16 runs.
De Kock who had a horror run in the test series showed some glimpses of form in the middle, but eventually fell leg before to Chahal which appeared to be going down the leg side had the review been taken.
Both spinners put a stranglehold in the middle of Proteas innings to reduce South Africa to 134/5 at one stage before captain Du Plessis 120 led the recovery.
The middle-order of Markram, Duminy and David Miller could only manage 28 runs as South Africa continued to slip.
Du Plessis held his nerve and continued to bat solidly and found support from all rounder Chris Morris who scored a handy 37 before becoming Kuldeep’s third victim who eventually finished with 3/34.
Leg spinner Chahal finished with figures of 2/45 while Bumrah (1/56) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/71) chipped in with a wicket each.
Du Plessis struck 11 fours and two sixes during his knock of 120 but was eventually holed out in the last over of the South Africa innings to Hardik Pandya off the bowling off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
India began the chase positively but both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were out after getting starts.
Rohit mistimed a shot on 20 to be caught by Quinton de Kock off Morne Morkel.
Virat Kohli called for a non existent single in the 13th over of Indian chase as Dhawan inside edged one onto his pads. However before he could react, Kohli was halfway down the pitch and Aiden Markram’s direct hit caught Dhawan well short of the crease at the non-striker’s end.
India were 67/2 when Kohli and Rahane joined in and added a record 189 runs for the third wicket before Rahane fell caught at long on aiming to finish the game early. His innings comprised of 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Kohli too departed two overs later but not before he had played a entertaining knock with 10 fours.
He reached the three figure mark with a four and celebrated his 33rd ODI ton in unique style.
MS Dhoni finished the chase in style with a four as India won with over four overs to spare and six wickets remaining.
This was India’s first ever win in ODIs over South Africa in Durban, and in by doing so they broke the hosts run of 17 consecutive wins at home.