India vs South Africa 2018, 1st ODI: Kohli ton helps India to the six-wicket win in Durban.
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli peeled off yet another century as India defeated South Africa by six wickets in the first ODI of the six-match series to take a 1-0 lead at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday. India chased down 270 in 45.3 overs thanks to a measured century from Kohli, his first limited-overs ton in South Africa, who was out after scoring 112 off 119.
It was India's first ever win in ODIs over South Africa in Durban and in the process, they also broke the hosts' run of 17 consecutive wins at home.
Ajinkya Rahane also played a solid knock, scoring 79 - his fifth straight half-century in ODIs, equalling the Indian record jointly held by Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli [twice].
India began on a positive note but both openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were out after getting starts. Rohit miscued a shot on 20 to be caught by 'keeper Quinton de Kock off Morne Morkel. His partner Dhawan cut an angry figure sitting in the Indian dressing room after being run out on 35.
Kohli called for a non-existent single in the 13th over of Indian chase as Dhawan inside edged one onto his pads. However, before he could react, Kohli was halfway down the pitch and Aiden Markram's direct hit caught Dhawan well short of the crease at the non-striker's end.
India were 67/2 when Kohli and Rahane joined hands and together they steered the India innings in the forward direction. The duo added a record 189 runs for the third wicket before being separated in the 43rd over when Rahane, aiming to finish the game early, ended up being caught at long-on. His innings had five fours and two sixes.
Kohli departed two overs later but not before he had played a thoroughly entertaining knock studded with 10 fours. He reached the three-figure mark with a four and celebrated his 33rd ODI ton animatedly - in his own inimitable style. MS Dhoni finished the chase in style with a four as India won with over four overs to spare and six wickets remaining.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis scored his ninth century as South Africa recovered to post a competitive 269/8. India spinners applied the brakes in the middle overs to reduce South Africa to 134/5 at one stage before captain Du Plessis (120) led the recovery. He was involved in the two highest partnerships of the South Africa innings. He first added 53 runs for the second wicket with Quinton de Kock (34) after Jasprit Bumrah gave India an early breakthrough in Hashim Amla (16).
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