Dewald Brevis lit up the opening ODI with a moment of sheer brilliance, pulling off a breathtaking one-handed diving catch at backward point to dismiss Ruturaj Gaikwad for 8 off 14 balls. Flying full stretch to his right, Brevis produced the breakthrough South Africa badly needed, ending a cautious third-wicket stand of 22 runs in 5.1 overs.
The dismissal offered some relief for the visitors, with Virat Kohli continuing to hold firm at the other end, unbeaten on a commanding 85 off 78 deliveries. Washington Sundar walked in at No. 5 for the first time in his career, with India 184 for 3 in 26.2 overs. Washington Sundar, struggling to rotate the strike during his time at the crease, managed just 13 off 19 balls before finding mid-off in an attempt to accelerate, leaving India 200 for 4 in 30.3 overs with Kohli on 88 off 83.
IND vs SA 1st ODI Updates
Earlier, Rohit Sharma had an eventful innings, surviving a life on 1 when Tony de Zorzi failed to hold on to a catch coming in from deep third man. Once Rohit settled, aided by Kohli’s fluency, he began to find his timing, unfurling a series of crisp strokes. A back-foot punch off Marco Jansen and consecutive boundaries against Corbin Bosch signalled that he had found his rhythm.
Rohit went on to break a major world record, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi to become the player with the most sixes in the history of One-Day International cricket. Entering the match on 349 sixes, he moved level with Afridi by launching two towering hits off Prenelan Subrayen in the 15th over, before pulling Marco Jansen over deep square leg to claim the record outright with his 352nd maximum, achieved in far fewer innings than the former Pakistan captain. Rohit eventually walked off for 57 off 50 balls, choosing not to review an lbw decision despite Kohli urging him to take the DRS, thus ending a flowing innings prematurely.
Kohli, meanwhile, was in glorious touch. He reached his half-century in style by launching Bosch for a six, prompting applause from head coach Gautam Gambhir in the dugout. Alongside Rohit, he treated the Ranchi crowd to a vintage display, the pair racing to a hundred-run partnership as India looked firmly in control.
Kohli’s stroke play remained effortless even as India slowed between 150 and 200 runs, the most sedate phase of their innings. Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal had given India a brisk start before being removed by the lively Nandre Burger, bringing Kohli in to join Rohit after South Africa elected to bowl first.
– Ends
Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Nov 30, 2025
