332/10 (49.2)
CRR : 6.73
349/8 (50.0)
CRR : 6.98
India won by 17 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
135(120)
KL Rahul (India Captain): "I would be lying if I said no butterflies in the stomach during that run chase. Throughout those 50 overs, we were playing ODI cricket after a while and getting to captain the country again, there is a bit of expectation from me and from everyone else who has given me responsibilities. I think it's good for personal development as well. I keep thinking about the game and how I can get better. It's always fun to watch them play with that kind of freedom.
(How is it for you to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play like that?) They've done it throughout their careers, putting oppositions under pressure, making them look silly at times, and showing the world why they are who they are, with the numbers they've achieved and the games they've won for the country. I've seen this for a long time, and it's always great to have them around in the dressing room. I've played all my cricket with them, so it's a lot of fun to chat with them. To have them back and see them play like that is a joy, not just for me, but for everyone in the stadium.
(On the development of Harshit Rana with the new ball) Yeah, obviously. Harshit has done really well. We always knew he had the potential, and from the moment he walked into the dressing room, we could tell he was special. He has the qualities Team India has been looking for — someone tall, someone who can bowl fast, hit the deck, and contribute with the bat at the back end. He’s still developing, but the potential is clearly there, and it’s great to see what he’s been able to achieve. He bowled brilliantly in Australia as well, and taking the new ball here and giving us those crucial wickets is exactly what we expect from him. It was really pleasing to see.
Kuldeep has been around for a long time and continues doing his job for the team. He’s key for us in the middle overs, picking up wickets consistently. Overall, it was amazing to watch how they both went about their bowling."
(How is it for you to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play like that?) They've done it throughout their careers, putting oppositions under pressure, making them look silly at times, and showing the world why they are who they are, with the numbers they've achieved and the games they've won for the country. I've seen this for a long time, and it's always great to have them around in the dressing room. I've played all my cricket with them, so it's a lot of fun to chat with them. To have them back and see them play like that is a joy, not just for me, but for everyone in the stadium.
(On the development of Harshit Rana with the new ball) Yeah, obviously. Harshit has done really well. We always knew he had the potential, and from the moment he walked into the dressing room, we could tell he was special. He has the qualities Team India has been looking for — someone tall, someone who can bowl fast, hit the deck, and contribute with the bat at the back end. He’s still developing, but the potential is clearly there, and it’s great to see what he’s been able to achieve. He bowled brilliantly in Australia as well, and taking the new ball here and giving us those crucial wickets is exactly what we expect from him. It was really pleasing to see.
Kuldeep has been around for a long time and continues doing his job for the team. He’s key for us in the middle overs, picking up wickets consistently. Overall, it was amazing to watch how they both went about their bowling."
Most Catches as WK for KL Rahul in an ODI Innings:
4 vs New Zealand, Wankhede, 2023
4 vs South Africa, Paarl, 2023
4 vs South Africa, Ranchi, 2025*
4 vs New Zealand, Wankhede, 2023
4 vs South Africa, Paarl, 2023
4 vs South Africa, Ranchi, 2025*
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (POTM): "Well, today was really nice to kind of get into the game like that. The pitch played decently in the first 20-25 overs, before it started to slow down. I just decided to go out there and hit the ball. It is just me and the ball coming at me, and just enjoy the game of cricket. Which was the very reason I started the game. It is about staying the space of enjoyment, when you get a start, you know what you have done for so many years, experience kicks in and you understand the situation and build an innings.
You know, I am never a big believer of a lot of preparations. All my cricket has been mental, as long as I feel, mentally, I can play the game. I work physically hard every day. It has got nothing to do with cricket anymore, this is how I live now. As long as my fitness levels are up and my mental enjoyment is there, I mean you can visualise the game, running hard and reacting fast on the ball. One of the days, when you get a start, you will be able to score runs.
As I said many times before, if I arrive somewhere, I'll arrive 120 percent. I wanted to get hold of the conditions, had a couple of net sessions in the daylight, and one session in the evening. My prep was done, I am 37, I took a day off. I need to look after my body and the recovery.
The thing is I visualise the game a lot in my mind. If I see myself as sharp, taking the fielders on and players on, I know I am in a good space and I can compete out there.
Yeah, that's how it is going to be. I am just playing one format of the game. I have played 300 odd ODI games, and so much cricket over the last 15-16 years, if you are in touch with the game, you know your reflexes are there, you can bat 2 hours in the nets without taking a break, you are meeting all those markers.
I understand if there is a dip in form, you have to do a bit too much. At this stage, for me is it is about being mentally ready and excited to be ready to play whatever games I am playing."
You know, I am never a big believer of a lot of preparations. All my cricket has been mental, as long as I feel, mentally, I can play the game. I work physically hard every day. It has got nothing to do with cricket anymore, this is how I live now. As long as my fitness levels are up and my mental enjoyment is there, I mean you can visualise the game, running hard and reacting fast on the ball. One of the days, when you get a start, you will be able to score runs.
As I said many times before, if I arrive somewhere, I'll arrive 120 percent. I wanted to get hold of the conditions, had a couple of net sessions in the daylight, and one session in the evening. My prep was done, I am 37, I took a day off. I need to look after my body and the recovery.
The thing is I visualise the game a lot in my mind. If I see myself as sharp, taking the fielders on and players on, I know I am in a good space and I can compete out there.
Yeah, that's how it is going to be. I am just playing one format of the game. I have played 300 odd ODI games, and so much cricket over the last 15-16 years, if you are in touch with the game, you know your reflexes are there, you can bat 2 hours in the nets without taking a break, you are meeting all those markers.
I understand if there is a dip in form, you have to do a bit too much. At this stage, for me is it is about being mentally ready and excited to be ready to play whatever games I am playing."
Most Player of the Match Award in ODIs:
62 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
48 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/Sri Lanka)
44* - Virat Kohli (India)
32 - Jacques Kallis (Africa/ICC/South Africa), Ricky Ponting (ICC/Australia), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan/Asia/ICC)
62 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
48 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/Sri Lanka)
44* - Virat Kohli (India)
32 - Jacques Kallis (Africa/ICC/South Africa), Ricky Ponting (ICC/Australia), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan/Asia/ICC)
INSTANCES OF TEAMS SCORING 300-PLUS TOTALS IN ODIS AFTER LOSING 3 WICKETS BELOW 15:
368/5 from 10/3 - Australia (1st Innings) vs Sri Lanka, Sydney, 2006
346/7 from 14/3 - England (1st Innings) vs South Africa, Kimberley, 2023
332 from 11/3 - South Africa (2nd Innings) vs India, Ranchi, 2025, TONIGHT*
368/5 from 10/3 - Australia (1st Innings) vs Sri Lanka, Sydney, 2006
346/7 from 14/3 - England (1st Innings) vs South Africa, Kimberley, 2023
332 from 11/3 - South Africa (2nd Innings) vs India, Ranchi, 2025, TONIGHT*
STAT ATTACK:
-South Africa have become the first team in ODI history to score 300-plus in a run-chase after being reduced to fewer than 15 runs for the loss of their first three wickets. The previous best was Pakistan’s 297 all out (from 6/3) versus England at Headingley in 2019
-South Africa’s 332 is their highest ODI chase total without any batter scoring a century, going past their previous best of 328/5 against England in Southampton in 2017 — a match they narrowly lost by two runs.
-South Africa have become the first team in ODI history to score 300-plus in a run-chase after being reduced to fewer than 15 runs for the loss of their first three wickets. The previous best was Pakistan’s 297 all out (from 6/3) versus England at Headingley in 2019
-South Africa’s 332 is their highest ODI chase total without any batter scoring a century, going past their previous best of 328/5 against England in Southampton in 2017 — a match they narrowly lost by two runs.
Most Number of 30+ Scores by Batters from No.4 or Lower in an ODI Innings:
5 by Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide, 2005
5 by West Indies vs Pakistan, Christchurch, 2015
5 by South Africa vs India, Ranchi, 2025, Tonight*
5 by Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide, 2005
5 by West Indies vs Pakistan, Christchurch, 2015
5 by South Africa vs India, Ranchi, 2025, Tonight*
Most 6s in a Match Between India and South Africa in ODIs:
28 – Ranchi, 2025, Tonight*
25 – Wankhede, 2015
16 – Ahmedabad, 2010
28 – Ranchi, 2025, Tonight*
25 – Wankhede, 2015
16 – Ahmedabad, 2010
That was a proper ODI cricket match going down to the wire!!! Virat Kohli has aged like a fine wine. Indian bowlers then fought hard as the South Africa's lower order showed tremendous fight. In the end, it is the Men in Blue who have taken a 1-0 lead in this three-match series with a 17-run win in Ranchi. The second ODI will take place in Raipur on Wednesday. We will be there to bring its full live coverage.
For now, it is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Ajay Pal Singh, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
For now, it is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Ajay Pal Singh, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!