• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Virat Kohli Century, India vs South Africa 1st ODI Result: After a disappointing result in the Test series, India kicked off the ODI series on a positive note against South Africa. They defeated the Proteas by 17 runs in the first ODI match at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. Virat Kohli was the star performer as he smashed a memorable century.

Having taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, the Indian team returned to their hotel. Stand-in skipper KL Rahul, leading in Shubman Gill’s absence due to injury, was seen cutting a cake to celebrate the win, in a video that soon went viral on social media. Kohli, who was named Player of the Match, entered the lobby while the celebration was underway and saw Rahul cutting the cake. However, he avoided joining the celebrations. Despite repeated calls, he walked straight past the gathering and headed directly towards the elevator.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Stresses On Getting Better Every Day After Ranchi Masterclass

Virat played a historic knock of 135 runs in 120 balls on the back of 11 fours and seven sixes to help India post a mammoth total of 349/8 in their 50 overs after being put into bat first. Kuldeep Yadav spun a web for his four wickets, whereas Harshit Rana found three scalps as South Africa were bowled out for 332 in 49.2 overs. Notably, Virat headed into the home series against the Proteas on the back of scores of 0, 0 and 74 during the Australia tour.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir, Agarkar Summoned As BCCI Pushes For ‘Clarity And Planning’ Around Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's Future

Recommended For You

Recently, several reports claimed that the atmosphere in India's T20I and Test setups remains stable, while the same cannot be said about the ODI dressing room. Head coach Gambhir no longer shares the same equation with Virat and Rohit Sharma as he once did. The relationship between the two senior batters and the selectors reportedly has become tense, something that was evident during the Australia tour in October.

"Well, today was really nice to kind of get into the game like that. The pitch played quite decently in the first 20-25 overs before it started to slow down. So, I just felt like, you know, let me just go out there and just hit the ball. Not think too much about any of the other stuff," Virat said after being adjudged as the Player of the Match.

"It's just me and the ball coming at me, and just enjoy the game of cricket, which was the very reason I started playing this game. So, it was just about staying in the space of enjoyment and, of course, when you get a start, and you get into the situation, then you know what you've done over so many years, and the experience kicks in and then you understand the situation and able to build an innings," he added.

Also In News