Vintage Kohli reasserts ODI class as India edge South Africa in Ranchi

Ranchi: Virat Kohli reaffirmed his status as India’s premier ODI batter with a masterful 135 off 120 balls, guiding India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the series opener. Kohli’s innings, featuring seven sixes and 11 fours, anchored India’s total of 349 for eight on a flat JSCA pitch, complemented by a 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma (57).

South Africa’s chase began disastrously, with Harshit Rana removing Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in quick succession. Arshdeep Singh (2/64) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/68) kept up the pressure, with Kuldeep’s twin strike in the 34th over breaking a threatening 97-run partnership between Marco Jansen (70) and Matthew Breetzke (72). Dew helped the Proteas reach 332, but India held firm, and Prasidh Krishna dismissed Corbin Bosch (67) in the final over to seal victory.

Kohli’s performance highlighted his enduring ODI value, combining classical stroke-play with tactical acceleration. The innings also sent a strong message ahead of future fixtures, demonstrating that, despite stepping away from T20Is, the 36-year-old remains India’s most dependable white-ball batter. The ‘Ro-Ko’ show, anchored by Kohli’s calm authority, set the tone for India’s promising start to the three-match series.