Ton-up Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane See India Win 1st ODI Against Proteas

India rode on a magnificent ton by Virat Kohli and a superb 79 from Ajinkya Rahane to floor South Africa in the first ODI of the six-match series at the Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
Set a target of a modest 270, the visitors chased down the total with a lot of ease and scripted a famous six-wicket victory. This was India’s first ODI win at Durban as Kohli and Rahane stitched in a mammoth 189-run partnership to keep the Proteas challenge at bay. Kohli registered his 33rd ton in ODIs to keep his dream run going with the bat. He brought his century with a cracking cover drive in the 41st over.
Rahane was the perfect foil at the other end and played with a brilliant tempo to highlight his importance in the No. 4 position as India continued their successful journey in chasing games. India had earlier bowled exceptionally well despite a glaring ton by South African skipper Faf du Plessis. The wrist spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav snared five wickets between them to contribute to the victory.

All over in Durban where India have wrapped up victory by six wickets in the opening #MomentumODI. They win with 4.3 overs to spare and go 1-0 up in the six-match series. Kohli (112), Rahane (79) #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/VhTNqdGs0q

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 1, 2018

India masters of the chase
India got off to a good start as both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan played at a quick tempo and got some crucial boundaries at a brisk rate. Rohit took the charge and was playing well until he came across the line to a ball that was fuller than a good length off Morne Morkel, and the ball popped up with Quinton de Kock taking the catch.
Dhawan was joined by Kohli and the duo continued the run-chase with some great looking shots. Dhawan especially was looking on song hitting some crisp shots to the ropes and was on course for a big innings. But a misunderstanding between the wickets saw him get run out by miles after a Aiden Markram direct hit did him in. A disgruntled Dhawan perished for 35 adding 34 runs for the second wicket with the skipper.
Kohli and Rahane then ensured there was no more damage and batted sensibly throughout. Chris Morris and JP Duminy were not allowed to settle in. Shots were at galore with both batsmen hitting a wide range of shots and hitting down the ground. The highlight of the partnership was banking a lot on running between the wickets and rotating the strike.
The Proteas ran out of ideas as Kohli brought up his fifty in the 25th over. Rahane on the other hand smashed a six off Imran Tahir over deep mid-wicket before bringing up his fifty with a boundary. The duo continued scoring comfortably and Rahane took Morris for the cleaners in his second spell. Kohli brought his ton driving Andile Phehlukwayo past cover.

Congratulations to @imVkohli on an amazing 33rd ODI century! 👏 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/snsoQ9jOBa

— ICC (@ICC) February 1, 2018

STAT ATTACK: 

1. This was Kohli’s second ODI hundred against South Africa.
2. This was also the Indian skipper’s 19th century while chasing in ODIs.
3. Kohli now has hundreds in all ODI playing nations he has visited.

Rahane tried to finish off the game on the other hand before giving away his wicket after trying to go big off Phehlukwayo. His 86-ball 79 will give him a lot of confidence to move forward as the series progresses. Their 189-run stand came in 188 deliveries and they complimented each other very well.
Kohli followed suit for 112 as MS Dhoni hit the winning runs to hand India a victory.

.@ajinkyarahane88 brings up his 24th ODI fifty #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/uqqNB4XYRQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2018

Du Plessis ton gets SA to modest total

Earlier, pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah made the first breakthrough for India to trap Hashim Amla lbw for 16. From there on the spinners came in and took over the command. Chahal removed the out-of-form Quinton de Kock (34) and Aiden Markram (9). Kuldeep reeled off the next three wickets to put India in a strong position.

The left-arm wrist spinner had South Africa reeling at 134-5 when he deceived JP Duminy with a ball that spun the other way and bowled him. He then removed the dangerous David Miller to a catch by captain Virat Kohli.

Y Chahal: Overs 10, Runs 45, Wickets 2, Economy 4.50
K Yadav: Overs 10, Runs 34, Wickets 3, Economy 3.40

There was a late-innings revival as du Plessis was part of stands of 74 with Chris Morris (37) and 56 with Andile Phehlukwayo (27 not out). Du Plessis finally fell, caught at long-off in the final over having hit 11 fours and launched two sixes over midwicket.

Morris missed a full toss and was bowled by Kuldeep having hit a six over wide long-off the ball before. But Phehlukwayo provided more support for du Plessis in a half-century stand that dragged South Africa towards a decent score.