India opened the ODI series against South Africa with a comprehensive performance in Ranchi, posting 349/8 before restricting the visitors to 332 in 49.2 overs. Virat Kohli headlined the day with a solid 135 off 120 balls, bringing up his record-extending 52nd ODI hundred and anchoring India's innings. Rohit Sharma contributed a 57, breaking the all-time ODI sixes record during his knock, while KL Rahul added 60 to push India close to 350.
South Africa's chase began on a poor note as Harshit Rana removed Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the same over. Kuldeep Yadav then took control through the middle overs, striking twice in three balls to dismiss Matthew Breetzke 72 and Marco Jansen 70, both looking to take the game away. Despite a late fight from Corbin Bosch, who took the game till the final over, the hosts made sure the required rate was increasing.
India maintained pressure throughout, with Harshit finishing with three wickets and Kuldeep claiming four. South Africa fell 17 runs short as they were restricted to 332, sealing a strong start for India in the white-ball leg.