Skipper's 112 helps India kick off ODIu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0088series against South Africa with impressive 6-wicket win
India skipper Virat Kohli celebrates his half century against South Africa in the first ODI at Durban yesterday. Pic/AFP
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India skipper Virat Kohli blasted his 33rd ODI century as the visitors kick- started their limited overs series campaign in South Africa in grand fashion. India ended up with an impressive six-wicket win here last night, chasing South Africa's 269-8 to end Proteas' 17-game ODI winning streak at home. Kohli and No. 4 batsman Ajinkya Rahane put on 189-run partnership for the third wicket for India to enter a zone of comfort before Rahane departed for 79 in the 43rd over. In the 45th over, Kohli's hoick off Andile Phehlukwayo went straight to Kagiso Rabada at fine leg and he departed for 112 off 119 balls (10x4s). India got to the target through Hardik Pandya (3 not out) and MSâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Dhoni, who finished the game with a boundary, with 27 balls to spare. It was India's first ODI win in Durban over the last 25 years.
India were in a spot of bother at 67-2 when openers Rohit Sharma (20) and Shikhar Dhawan (35) departed early in the chase. While Rohit was caught behind, Dhawan was run out after a terrible mix-up with Kohli. The Indian skipper and Rahane then steadied the innings. Earlier, South African captain Faf du Plessis made a century to lift South Africa to a strong innings finish. India are looking to blossom in the one-day series after losing the three-Test match series 2-1 last month.
Du Plessis sparkles
Du Plessis made 120 in a South African total of 269 for eight after they won the toss and batted on a slow pitch. Indian wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav took five wickets between them and the South Africans struggled to achieve momentum as they slumped to 134 for five in 27.5 overs.
Useful partnerships
Du Plessis, though, batted confidently and shared stands of 74 with Chris Morris (37) and 56 with Andile Phehlukwayo (27 not out) to get his team to a competitive total. Leg-spinner Chahal took two for 45 and left-arm wrist spinner Yadav took three for 45 and kept tight control during the middle overs. There was a scare for India early in the innings when captain Kohli jarred his left knee when attempting a sliding stop on a soft outfield.
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