After losing the Test series by a margin of 2-1, India faced hosts South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban in the ODI series opener.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli had his task cut out to challenge the Proteas in their own den.
After losing the toss, the Men in Blue had to take the field and restrict the hosts to a chasable total. It was the wrist-spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav which did the captain up front by picking five wickets among themselves.
However, it was a brilliant century from Kohli’s counterpart, Faf du Plessis, which helped the South Africans to reach a challenging total of 270 in front of the Indians.
With the bat in hand, it was the chase master Virat Kohli who orchestrated India’s win with his 33rd ODI ton along with Ajinkya Rahane who smashed 79.
Both Rahane and Kohli stitched a matchwinning partnership of 189 runs as India won the match and took a 1-0 lead in the six-match series.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the first ODI:
Two great partnerships to take India to victory. First, @imkuldeep18 along with @yuzi_chahal and then @imVkohli with @ajinkyarahane88. Great work, boys. Keep up the momentum, #TeamIndia. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/tQnfETAuco
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 2, 2018
Congratulations India. Very well done. A great start to the series. Very happy for Rahane. #INDvSA
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 1, 2018
Congratulations India on a very comprehensive victory. While Kohli and Rahane were outstanding, Chahal and Kuldeep ‘s spell was a big difference as well. #INDvSA
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 1, 2018
Fabulous start to the series!! An all round effort in securing a big win. Another great century by the run machine, @imVkohli and a superb innings played by Ajju @ajinkyarahane88. Keep it up boys!@BCCI #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/uudgYEtl6k
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 1, 2018
Congratulations #TeamIndia!! Setting the performance mark just higher & higher with every match! This is why I love cricket! Also, @imVkohli you have been killing it!! It’s been an amazing season so far, well played #TeamIndia !! #IndvSA pic.twitter.com/ZV9vbzzI7j
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) February 1, 2018
Super Stuff #TeamIndia ! There is no looking back when the skippa @imVkohli takes charge 🙌 & ofcourse @ajinkyarahane88 top knock bro👌 #INDvsSA #BleedBlue
— Karun Nair (@karun126) February 2, 2018
Of @imVkohli's brilliance, what more can one say? Of @ajinkyarahane88's ability to come good in demanding circumstances need one say more!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 1, 2018
Chase master Kohli strikes again! India's captain hits 112 to help his side take a 1-0 ODI series lead, beating hosts South Africa by 6 wickets in Durban! #SAvIND scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/EnNjmKO3hw pic.twitter.com/ZG85fGNuIW
— ICC (@ICC) February 1, 2018
Great to see India’s best craftsman of overseas conditions proving his mettle yet again! This is Rahane’s fifth consecutive fifty.#SAvsIND
— Parth Dhall (@parth2509) February 1, 2018
As clinical as it gets. This is not just a victory but a statement. Kohli and Rahane were outstanding. #INDvSA
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 1, 2018
“Tumhe kya laga winning shot koi aur maarega ??” #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/4bJc5AVQZC
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) September 24, 2017
Gritty and a brilliant knock from Rahane.
Number 4️⃣ Spot Sealed and Packed once in for all before the WC. Indian batters have treated the SA bowlers, the way they treated the SL bowlers back home. #SAvIND
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) February 1, 2018
Wht a chase #Kohli u r undefeated warrior! Well Played #Rahane too & Better Luck next time Shikhar Dhawan Gabbar! #INDvSA #1stODI Format Changed Attitude Changed #TeamBlue Congratulation … 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🏆
— Bollywood Khabri (@BwoodKhabri09) February 1, 2018
Overjoyed to see Ajinkya Rahane play. Have always rated him and this is amongst his best one-day innings. Ran beautifully with Kohli and played the lofted hit remarkably. Did his job.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 1, 2018
'Tis the season of comebacks!
While the Royals are back in #IPL2018, @ajinkyarahane88 is back as India's No. 4⃣⚡
He scored his 24th ODI 5⃣0⃣, totalling 7⃣9⃣ when India 🇮🇳 beat South Africa 🇿🇦 by 6⃣ wickets in yesterday's ODI!#SAvIND #Cricket #HallaBol pic.twitter.com/euD4R7Bdmx
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 2, 2018
Don't know if crowd is cheering Kohli going out to the Pavilion or Dhoni coming in to bat. #INDvSA
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) February 1, 2018
Well of course the winning shot has to be by my MahiMan.. @msdhoni #INDvSA
— Harneet Singh (@Harneetsin) February 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/Brokenpundit/status/959103034943971329
Dhoni is making his final appearances at different grounds of the world by hitting ceremonial boundaries.
Long live the legend of MSD
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 1, 2018
