After losing the Test series by a m🐈argin of 2-1, India face𒁏d hosts South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban in the ODI series opener.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli had his task cut out to challenge the Proꦍteas in their own den.
After losing the toss, the Men in Blue had to take the field and restrict the hosts to a chasable total. It was the wrist-spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav which did the captain up front by picking five wickets among t💎hemselves.
However, it was a brilliant century from Kohli’s counterpart, Faf du Plessis, which helped the South Africans to reach a challenging total of 270 in front of the Indians.
With the bat in hand, it was the chase master Virat Kohli who orchestrated India’s win with his 33rd ODI ton along with Ajinkya Rahane who smashed 79.
Both Rahane and Kohli stitched a matchwinning partnership of 1💝89 runs as Indಌia won the match and took a 1-0 lead in the six-match series.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the first ODI:
Two great partnerships to take India to victory. First, along with and then with . Great work, boys🔯. Keep up the momentum, .
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Congratulations India. Ver🌄y well done. A great start to the series. Very happy for Rahane.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Congratulations India on a very comprehensive victory. While Kohli and Rahane were outstan๊ding, Chahal and Kuldeep ‘s spell was a big difference as well.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Fabulous start to the series!! An all round effort in securing a big win. Another great century by the run machine, and a superb innings played by Ajju . Keep i🐎t up boys!@BCCI
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Congratulations !! Setting the performance mark just higher & higher with every match! This is why I love cricket! Also, you have been kill☂ing it!! It’s been an amazing season so far, well played !!
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor)
Super Stuff ! There is no looking back when the skippa ꧙ takes charge 🙌 &a𒈔mp; ofcourse top knock bro👌
— Karun Nair (@karun126)
Of 's brilliance, what more can one say? Of 's ability to come good in demanding circumstances need one say more!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Chase master Kohli strikes again! India's captain hits 112 to help his side take a 1-0 ODI series lead, beating hosts South Africa by 6 wickets in Durban! scorecard ➡️
— ICC (@ICC)
Great to see India’s best craftsman of overseas conditions proving his mettle yet again! This is Rahane’s fifth consecutive fifty❀.
— Parth Dhall (@parth2509)
As clinical as it gets. This 🌠is not just a victory but a statement. Kohli and Rahane were outstanding.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
“Tumhe kꦓya laga winning shot koi aur maarega ??”
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega)
Gritty and a brilliant knock from Rahane.
Number 4️⃣ Spot Sealed and Packed once in for all before the WC. Indian batꦯters have treated the SA bowlers, the way they treated the SL 𒅌bowlers back home.
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Wht a chase u r undefeated warrior! Well Played too & Better Luck next time Shikhar Dhawan Gabbar! Format Changed Attitude Changed Congratulation … 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🏆
— Bollywood World (@bwoodworld)
Overjoyed to see Ajinkya Rahane play. Have always rated him and this is am💫ongst his best one-day innings. Ran beautifully with Kohli and played the lofted hit remarkably. Did his job.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
'Tis the season of comebacks!
While the Royals are back in , is back as India's No. 4⃣⚡
He scored his 24th ODI 5⃣0⃣, totalling 7⃣9⃣ when India 🇮🇳 beat South Africa 🇿🇦 by 6⃣ wickets in yesterday's ODI!
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Don't know if crowd is cheering Kohli going out to the Pavilion or Dhoni coming in to bat.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar)
Well of course the winn🔯ing shot has to be by my 🎃MahiMan..
— Harneet Singh (@Harneetsin)
//twitter.com/🌠Brokenpundit/status/95910303494397♊1329
Dhoni is making his final appearances at different grounds of the world by hittin꧒g ceremonial boundaries.
Long live the legend of MSD
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh)
