India vs South Africa 1st ODI: India Win by 17 Runs in Absolute Ranchi Thriller – Kohli 135, Bosch 67, Harshit Dream Debut!
Ranchi, 30 November 2025 – What a way to kick off the series! India posted 349/8 powered by Virat Kohli’s majestic 135 and then survived a sensational lower-order fightback from Corbin Bosch (67) and Marco Jansen (70) to win by just 17 runs. Debutant Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball as South Africa finished on 332 all out in 49.2 overs.
South Africa 332 all out (49.2) – Breetzke 72, Jansen 70, Bosch 67, Kuldeep 4/68, Harshit 3/65
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Five Moments That Decided the Match
- Rohit Sharma’s World Record – Hit 3 sixes to surpass Shahid Afridi’s 351 and become the new king of ODI sixes with 352!
- Virat Kohli 52nd ODI Hundred – 135 off 120 balls, broke Sachin’s record for most centuries in a single format.
- Harshit Rana’s Dream Debut – 10-0-65-3. Top order destroyed in first 5 overs: Rickelton golden duck, de Kock duck, Markram caught behind.
- Jansen + Bosch Magic – 97-run 6th wicket stand (Jansen 70 off 39) and Bosch’s 67 off 51 took SA from 228-7 to 332!
- Kuldeep’s 4-fer – 10-0-68-4 including the big wickets of Jansen (full-toss comedy) and Breetzke.
For 20 overs it looked like India would win by 150+ runs.
For the last 15 overs it felt like South Africa could actually pull off 350 off!
Cricket, you beautiful mad game.
India Innings: Kohli Masterclass & Death Over Carnage
- Rohit Sharma 57 (51) – 3 sixes → now 352 ODI sixes (World Record!)
- Virat Kohli 135 (120) – 11 fours, 7 sixes, 52nd ODI ton, most centuries in single format ever
- KL Rahul 60 (56) – monk mode for 40 overs, gangster mode for last 10
- Last 10 overs: 112 runs! Jadeja 32 off 20, Rahul-Jadeja 65 off 36
South Africa’s Fightback That Almost Worked
- 11-3 inside 5 overs → Harshit Rana on fire
- Breetzke 72 & de Zorzi 39 rebuilt with 66-run stand
- Jansen 70 off 39 (8×4, 3×6) & Bosch 67 off 51 (5×4, 4×6) added 97 & 104 for last 4 wickets
- Needed 28 off 12 balls at one stage – Bosch on strike!
Hero of the Day – Harshit Rana (Debutant Debut)
23-year-old Delhi pacer announced himself with a bang:
- First over: Rickelton bowled golden duck
- Third ball: de Kock edged to Rahul – duck!
- Later removed Brevis – 10-0-65-3
Man of the moment on debut!
Funny Moment of the Match
Kuldeep Yadav bowls a juicy full toss to Marco Jansen on 70 → Jansen skies it → Jadeja takes catch → Kuldeep celebrates then starts laughing at his own ball! Pure gold.
Final Scorecard Snapshot
Bowling: Kuldeep 4/68, Harshit 3/65, Arshdeep 2/64
What the Win Means
- India take 1-0 lead in 3-match series
- Kohli now has 52 ODI hundreds – 3 clear of Sachin
- Rohit Sharma – ODI sixes world record holder (352)
- Harshit Rana & Corbin Bosch – two debutants who stole headlines
Player of the Match – Virat Kohli
“Amazing feeling to contribute to a win. The crowd in Ranchi always gives me extra energy. Credit to South Africa – they fought till the last ball.”
Next Match
2nd ODI – December 3, Bengaluru. Can South Africa bounce back or will India seal the series?
One thing is sure – after this Ranchi classic, the remaining two games have a lot to live up to!
#INDvsSA #IndiaWin #Kohli135 #HarshitRanaDebut #CorbinBosch67 #RanchiODI #CricketThriller
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