The three-match One Day International series between India and South Africa began with a high-octane spectacle at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. In a contest that saw monumental batting records fall and a nail-biting chase go down to the final over, India secured a hard-fought 17-run victory against the Proteas in the India vs South Africa 1st ODI, taking a critical 1-0 lead in the series. The foundation of this victory was laid by a vintage, record-breaking century from Virat Kohli, which proved just enough to withstand a fierce South African counter-attack.
The victory for India is a significant psychological boost, especially after the recent disappointment of the Test series. It reaffirms India’s strength in the 50-over format, proving their depth and experience on home soil against a formidable opposition.
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Match Summary and Result: India vs South Africa 1st ODI
South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit any early moisture in the pitch. However, the decision quickly backfired against a returning, in-form Indian top order.
| Team | Score (Overs) |
| India | 349/8 (50 Overs) |
| South Africa | 332/10 (49.2 Overs) |
| Result | India won by 17 runs |
India’s innings was built on an exceptional platform provided by the returning stalwarts. Virat Kohli was the star, smashing a magnificent 135 (120 balls), supported by crucial fifties from Rohit Sharma (57) and stand-in captain KL Rahul (60). The Indian batting line-up ultimately posted a challenging total of 349/8. The South African bowling unit, despite the efforts of Marco Jansen and Nandre Burger (both taking two wickets), struggled for sustained control.
In response, South Africa’s chase got off to a disastrous start, slumping to 11/3. However, middle-order resilience, particularly from Matthew Breetzke (72), Marco Jansen (70), and a thrilling late surge from Corbin Bosch (67), kept the Proteas in the hunt. The consistent wickets taken by the Indian spinners and seamers, most notably Kuldeep Yadav (4/68) and Harshit Rana (3/65), proved the decisive factor, restricting South Africa to 332 and sealing the win for India.
Turning Points: Pivotal Moments in the India vs South Africa 1st ODI
1. The Record-Breaking Ro-Ko Stand (Overs 4-21)
After losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli orchestrated a magnificent 136-run partnership off just 109 balls. This stand not only absorbed the early pressure but also rocketed the score to 161/2 by the 21st over. The partnership marked their 20th century stand in ODI cricket, cementing their legendary status. Crucially, it provided the necessary acceleration against the new-ball attack, creating a momentum that South Africa struggled to break for the majority of the innings.
2. Harshit Rana’s Double-Strike in Powerplay
Facing a daunting chase of 350, South Africa desperately needed a strong start. Debutant Harshit Rana, however, delivered a career-defining opening spell. He removed opener Ryan Rickelton and the dangerous Quinton de Kock in a single over, reducing South Africa to 7/2. When Arshdeep Singh added the wicket of captain Aiden Markram, the Proteas were reeling at 11/3. This early triple-blow meant that despite the heroic later efforts, the required run rate was always climbing, placing the entire team under immense pressure.
3. Kuldeep Yadav’s Mid-Innings Mastery
South Africa’s middle-order, especially the partnership between Marco Jansen and Matthew Breetzke, threatened to swing the match dramatically. They added 97 runs for the sixth wicket at a rapid pace. Kuldeep Yadav broke this critical stand, first dismissing the destructive Marco Jansen for 70, and then the set Matthew Breetzke for 72 just two balls later. These two wickets in the space of one over completely stalled the South African momentum, transforming a promising 227/5 into 228/7 and reasserting India’s control over the run chase.
Player Performances: The Architects of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI
| Player | Team | Performance | Contribution Type |
| Virat Kohli | India | 135 runs (120 balls, 11×4, 7×6) | Player of the Match – Scored his 52nd ODI century, setting a new record for most centuries in a single format (surpassing Tendulkar’s 51 Test tons). |
| KL Rahul (C/WK) | India | 60 runs (56 balls, 2×4, 3×6) | Anchored the lower middle-order, providing crucial impetus in the death overs to push the score past the 340-mark. |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | 4/68 (10 Overs) | Clinical bowling display, taking the key wickets of Breetzke, Jansen, Tony de Zorzi, and Subrayen, breaking the back of the chase. |
| Marco Jansen | South Africa | 70 runs (39 balls, 8×4, 3×6) & 2/76 (10 Overs) | Exceptional all-round effort. His explosive batting in the middle overs was vital, following an economical bowling spell with two key wickets. |
| Corbin Bosch | South Africa | 67 runs (51 balls, 5×4, 4×6) & 2/66 (10 Overs) | His late-order power-hitting turned a lost cause into a potential upset, taking the game into the final over. |
What it Means for the Series Standings
The result of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The pressure now shifts entirely to South Africa, who must win the second ODI in Raipur to keep the series alive.
For India, the victory is a huge confidence booster, demonstrating that the team’s depth and the veteran presence of Kohli and Rohit can effectively compensate for the absence of injured players like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. The debut performance of Harshit Rana and the wicket-taking rhythm of Kuldeep Yadav are encouraging signs for their white-ball preparation.
For South Africa, the positive takeaway is the aggressive batting displayed by their middle and lower order, particularly the all-round brilliance of Marco Jansen. However, the top-order collapse remains a major concern that Captain Aiden Markram will need to address immediately.
Fan Perspective and Opinions: #KohliTheGOAT
To ensure you don’t miss the rest of this thrilling series, here are the official broadcasting and streaming details:
The India vs South Africa ODI series matches all begin at 1:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
| Date | Match | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
| Sun, Nov 30, 2025 | 1st ODI (Result: India won) | Ranchi | 1:30 PM |
| Wed, Dec 3, 2025 | 2nd ODI | Raipur | 1:30 PM |
| Sat, Dec 6, 2025 | 3rd ODI | Visakhapatnam | 1:30 PM |
US Live Telecast and Streaming in the USA
- TV Channel & Live Streaming: The matches are available exclusively on Willow TV.
- Eastern Time (ET): 3:00 AM
- Central Time (CT): 2:00 AM
- Pacific Time (PT): 12:00 AM
