India defeated South Africa in the first One day match at Kingsmead, Durban by 6 wickets just finished a few moments ago. South African captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat. Faf du Plessis scored 120 and helped hosts to post 269 for 8. In reply, Virat Kohli, Rahane partnership helped down team India chase down the target with ease.
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock started on a cautious note with good stroke play from both batsmen. Jasprit Bumrah got the early wicket of Hashim Amla. At the end of 10 overs, South Africa scored 49 runs. Quinton de Kock and captain Faf du Plessis played with positive intent. Hardik Pandya went for 28 runs in his first 3 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal ended a 53 runs stand for the second wicket dismissing Quinton de Kock for 34. Aiden Markram struggled against Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Markram was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal for 9 off 21 balls. Captain Faf du Plessis completed his half-century off 54 balls. Kuldeep Yadav struck twice dismissing JP Duminy and David Miller to leave hosts at 134 for 5. Faf du Plessis and Chris Morris played sensibly adding 74 runs for the 6th wicket. It was a great display of batting by both batsmen. Kuldeep Yadav struck again dismissing Chris Morris.
Faf du Plessis and Andile Phehlukwayo put up 56 runs stand for the 8th wicket. Captain du Plessis reached his century off 101 balls. South Africa made 269 for 8 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of bowlers for India with 3 for 34 in 10 overs. Also, Yuzvendra Chahal took 2 wickets.
Chasing the target of 270, Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma started on an aggressive note adding 33 runs in 6.3 overs. Rohit Sharma was dismissed trying to hit a big shot off the bowling Morne Morkel. At the end of 10 overs, India scored 49 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Shikhar Dhawan was looking good for attacking strokes before the left-handed batsman was run out for 35.
Indian captain Virat Kohli and Rahane steadied the innings with a solid 3rd wicket partnership playing the South African spinners well. Captain Kohli reached his fifty off 56 balls. Both Rahane and Kohli continued to play South Africa bowlers with ease. Rahane completed his 5th successive ODI half-century off 60 balls. It was a great display of batting by both Rahane and Kohli. Virat Kohli reached his 33rd ODI century off 105 balls. The Indian captain scored his first ODI century in South Africa. Both of them put on 189 runs for the third wicket. Rahane and Virat Kohli were dismissed after that. Team India won the first match by 6 wickets with 27 balls to spare.
India 270 for 4 in 45.3 overs ( Virat Kohli 112, Rahane 79, Phehluwakyo 2/42) beat
South Africa 269 for 8 in 50 overs ( Faf du Plessis 120, Chris Morris 37, Kuldeep Yadav 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/45) by 6 wickets.
Indian captain and Man of the match Virat Kohli said: It was a great effort by the team. We wanted to take the test momentum into ODI series. The bowling group did a job by restricting South Africa to 269. The two wrist spinners are doing a great job. They are working wonderfully for the team. Both of them put brakes on the South African line and have produced the results.
South African captain Faf du Plessis said: We did not bat well. I thought we were 50-60-70 runs short. Chris Morris and I had a good partnership but as a batting unit, it was a disappointing effort. If you are chasing five an over, it becomes quite easy. Rahane and Virat Kohli played brilliantly.
India takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The second match of series will take place at Centurion on 4th February.