Skipper and Indian team captain, Virat Kohli guided the team India to a comfortable win over South Africa. Wherein on one hand, Faf du Plessis, the captain of the home team took the lead by scoring the century and making a decent run score for the Indian side to chase of 269 runs. The specialists feel that the score was very less in comparison to what it should have been.
Kohli’s century made the run chase easy and partnership between Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane and wrist spinners who did a great show and took early wickets, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal led to India’s win.
India defeated South Africa by six wickets in the first ODI of the six-match series to take 1-0 lead at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday. India chased down 270 in 45.3 overs thanks to a measured century from Kohli, his first limited-overs ton in South Africa, who was out after scoring 112 off 119.
With only 14 months to go for the 2019 ODI World Cup, India looks to kick off its preparations in earnest during the series.
India began on a positive note but both openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were out after getting starts. Rohit miscued a shot on 20 to be caught by ‘keeper Quinton de Kock off Morne Morkel. His partner Dhawan cut an angry figure sitting in the Indian dressing room after being run out on 35.
Kohli called for a non-existent single in the 13th over of Indian chase as Dhawan inside edged one onto his pads. However, before he could react, Kohli was halfway down the pitch and Aiden Markram’s direct hit caught Dhawan well short of the crease at the non-striker’s end.
India were 67/2 when Kohli and Rahane joined hands and together they steered the India innings in the forward direction. The duo added a record 189 runs for the third wicket before being separated in the 43rd over when Rahane, aiming to finish the game early, ended up being caught at long-on. His innings had five fours and two sixes.
