India vs South Africa | South Africa tour of India, 2025 | 1st ODI

Right then, it was a run fest in Ranchi with a match aggregate of 681 runs. If this opening game is anything to go by, we are in for a cracker of a series. The two teams will now meet in Raipur on Wednesday, 3rd December, for the second ODI of this three-match series. Rested for this game, Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj will most likely be back for the next one, and their return will be a boost as the Proteas look to draw level. As for India, they will be pleased with the all-round effort, especially the way their senior players led the way and how the pace attack bowled. They will now look to carry this momentum into the second game and try to seal the series. The first ball in Raipur will be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

Virat Kohli is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb ton. Kohli says it was nice to get into the game the way he did today. Adds that he felt the pitch played quite well for the first 20 to 25 overs before it slowed down, and his focus was on enjoying himself out there. Mentions that once he got a start, it became about building an innings. Shares that he has never been a big believer in doing a lot of preparation. For him, the game has always been more mental than anything else. Further says that he works physically hard because that is the way he lives, not something he does specifically for cricket, and being mentally sharp is what matters most to him. Kohli states that whenever he arrives somewhere, he makes sure he arrives at a hundred per cent. Tells that he wanted to get a proper feel of the conditions, so he batted both in the day and under lights after reaching Ranchi early. With more than 300 ODI games behind him, he believes that if you stay in touch with the game and understand when you are hitting the ball well, the rhythm naturally comes back. When asked by Harsha Bhogle, he quashes the rumours and makes it clear that he is continuing to play this one format.

KL Rahul, the Indian captain, says he felt a bit nervous leading the ODI side again after a while, but is really pleased with how the bowlers stuck to their plans and kept taking wickets. He mentions that he is enjoying batting at No. 6, a role he has been given in the last few series, and feels it is helping him grow as a player. He praises Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their exceptional performances, saying it is always fun to watch them bat and that their presence in the dressing room is invaluable to the group. Rahul also speaks highly of Harshit Rana’s progress, noting that he has the potential to become a very good fast bowler. He ends by acknowledging Kuldeep Yadav’s importance, calling him someone who consistently steps up and takes crucial wickets for the team.

The skipper of South Africa, Aiden Markram says he is really proud of the effort from the team. Adds that it was great to watch the guys step up and do their thing. Mentions that they never lost belief, and there was genuine hope in the dressing room throughout. Shares that they knew the ball would swing under the lights, and felt that chasing was the best way to win the game. Admits it is up to the top three, including himself, to give the side a solid start, and we all saw what the middle order is capable of. Shares that he is very proud of the group for showing plenty of character. Further says that any team would love to bat as deep as possible, and both Jansen and Bosch contribute brilliantly in that regard.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

India's Kuldeep Yadav is in for a chat. Kuldeep says he and KL Rahul had strategised to stay attacking and look for wickets, mixing up his deliveries with scrambled seam and seam-up variations while targeting a back-of-a-length area. He explains that bowling in wet conditions is always a challenge and praises the way Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen batted against spin. Kuldeep adds that the plan to slow the ball up and vary his pace brought him Jansen’s crucial wicket, a moment he feels turned the game in India’s favour.

Earlier, India were asked to bat first on a surface that allowed batters to hit through the line. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma capitalised with a 136-run stand, with Rohit being dropped on 1 by Tony de Zorzi. After Rohit fell, the Proteas pulled things back as the ball got older and their variations kicked in. The incoming batters struggled for fluency, and Kohli was starved of strike. He brought up his 52nd ODI ton before his surge was cut short. Late contributions from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja pushed India towards 350 before excellent death bowling from Corbin Bosch held them to 349.

Jansen’s innings really made India sweat and closed the gap between the two sides. Through the Jansen-Breetzke stand, the tourists had the momentum with them, but the game turned on its head when both set batters fell within three balls. Corbin Bosch kept the flame of the chase alive, with support coming from Prenelan Subrayen and Nandre Burger. The task eventually proved too steep for Bosch, as in dewy conditions India’s pace trio held their nerve at the death to close out the contest.

It was the worst possible start for the Proteas in pursuit of 350, as they were reduced to 11/3 inside five overs. After making early inroads, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh lost a bit of discipline, and Matthew Breetzke cashed in to get going. Breetzke led the recovery with Tony de Zorzi offering a steady hand, but the southpaw did not last long. First Dewald Brevis and then Marco Jansen counter-attacked, with Breetzke shifting into a supporting role.

A really good game of cricket. An ODI classic that ebbed and flowed with plenty of momentum shifts, but in the end, India emerged as the winners to go 1-0 up in the series. Given the start they had, finishing on 349 felt like they left a few runs out there, but their bowlers ensured it was enough on the day. It was a spirited chase from South Africa after being 11/3, and the true Proteas fight was on display as they kept landing punches. Reflecting on the game, they will look back at some of the loose shots in the first Powerplay that put them on the back foot, and will feel that if any of their top three had played a long innings, the chase could have unfolded very differently.

South Africa need 18 off the last over. It will be Prasidh Krishna to bowl. More drama as India have been penalised for not completing their overs on time. They can have only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.