IND vs SA, 1st ODI: India beat South Africa by 17 runs in a thrilling match at Ranchi

Match Summary

India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI at Ranchi, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. The match turned into an edge-of-the-seat contest as the Indian bowlers held their nerve in the final overs against a late fightback from Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch.

Key Performances

Virat Kohli anchored India’s innings with a solid 94 off 88 balls, forming a crucial 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma, who scored 57 from 51 deliveries. Their partnership set the base for India’s challenging total on a flat pitch.

Suryakumar Yadav added quick runs in the middle order, while India finished with a competitive 312 for 6 after 50 overs.

For South Africa, Jansen shone with both bat and ball. He first picked up key wickets and later joined Bosch in a spirited 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Despite their efforts, South Africa fell short, ending at 295 all out in 49.3 overs.

Bowling Highlights

Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack with disciplined spells. Thakur’s twin strikes in the middle overs swung the momentum, while Kuldeep claimed vital wickets to break South Africa’s resistance.

Mohammed Siraj maintained tight control early on, dismissing top-order batsmen and preventing the Proteas from gaining momentum in the powerplay.

Post-Match Reactions

Kohli praised the team’s execution and temperament under pressure, noting the importance of consistency before the upcoming World Cup. The South African captain acknowledged the fight shown by the lower order but remarked that early wickets cost them the game.

“We were 20 runs short in key moments, and that made the difference,” said the South African skipper after the match.

Author Summary

India clinched a 17-run thriller in Ranchi, with Kohli’s 94 and disciplined bowling overcoming a strong South African lower-order fightback to secure the opening ODI victory.

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The Indian Express The Indian Express — 2025-11-30

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