That's a wrap for our coverage of the first ODI between India and South Africa. Ranchi has delivered an absolute belter for us. The game ebbed and flowed, and although India were on the front foot for most of it, SA never let go and kept it alive right till the 100th over of the day.

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Ultimately, though, the day belongs to Virat Kohli. The 37-year-old looked back to his best, and played an absolutely scintillating innings. 11 fours, 7 sixes. The record for the most centuries by a batter in a single format. 52 ODI tons now, wow.

There can be no one doubting his spot for the World Cup, surely.

Harshit Rana played a huge role in India's win today. 2 wickets at the start, and for a long time today, he was India's most reliable bowler. Kuldeep Yadav made the difference - like he does so often - taking 4 wickets, including Jansen and Breetzke in the same over. And it would be harsh to not mention Arshdeep Singh keeping his cool at the death!

Not many would've given South Africa a chance of putting up even a fight when they were down to 11/3 inside the first 5 overs. But Matthew Breetzke's 72, Marco Jansen's astonishing 39-ball 70 and Corbin Bosch's relentless 67 kept the Proteas alive right till the end. Not to forget the cameos from Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Prenelan Subrayen and Nandre Burger.

They lose, but they have plenty of positives to take back from the first ODI.

GONE! It's all over! Corbin Bosch mistimes his big shot, the ball goes high up, and Rohit Sharma takes the catch to finish things. India hold their nerve and seal a dramatic 17-run win, but spare a thought for South Africa - what a fight they gave!

SA 332 all out

IND beat SA by 17 runs.

Bosch manages to take a single on the last ball of the 49th over. He crunches a cover drive, but Rohit Sharma's effort in the circle helps save an almost sure 4. Bosch will be on strike for the final over. Prasidh Krishna to bowl!

SA 332/9 (49)

Corbin Bosch, wow! What a shot! Arshdeep misses the yorker, it ends up being a low full toss, and Bosch scoops it over fine-leg for 6. Incredible shot. South Africa need just 19 more to win. 

SA 331/9 (48.2)

Wow! Corbin Bosch, brute power! He smashes Harshit for 6 over long-on. Bosch then takes a single on the next ball, and will hope that Baartman can survive the final delivery.

And Baartman survives! SA need 27 off 12!

SA 323/9 (48)

50 for Corbin Bosch! What a gem of a knock he's played under pressure. Low, wide full toss from Harshit Rana, Bosch's hard drive goes past Rohit Sharma in the circle and into the fence for 4. He continues to keep SA alive.

SA 316/9 (47.2)

GONE! Arshdeep strikes! Nandre Burger departs. Dug in very short by Arshdeep, Burger gets a top edge, and it is caught by KL Rahul. India are one wicket away from victory!

SA 312/9 (46.1)

Terrific fielding from Virat Kohli at long-on. Hit hard by Bosch and would've gone for 4, but Kohli keeps it out with an excellent one-handed reflex save. Prasidh bowling mostly slower balls here. However, Bosch has missed out on two full tosses!

SA 312/8 (46)

7 runs from the 45th over. Arshdeep Singh still has two overs to go after this. South Africa need 43 to win, and their hopes rely on Corbin Bosch. India still need 2 wickets to clinch victory. The match is well and truly gone down to the wire.

SA 307/8 (45)

300 up for the Proteas! They are still alive, very much alive in this contest. 6 overs to go, 50 runs to get, but Corbin Bosch's gem has kept then right in the game. India need 2 wickets to win, and if they don't get them, SA could snatch a miraculous win.

SA 300/8 (44)

Corbin Bosch slams another boundary! Slapped through the covers for 4. Bosch is up to 43 now, off just 31 balls. South Africa are still within touching distance, and could yet pull off an unlikely victory.

SA 294/8 (43.2)

Big hit! Corbin Bosch dispatches another short delivery from Jadeja for a maximum over deep mid-wicket. Second maximum for Bosch, adding to his three boundaries. He is up to 35, and South Africa are still clinging onto some hope.

SA 286/8 (42.3)

It's not over till it's over! That's what South Africa will keep in mind. The required run-rate is now well over 8, but Nandre Burger slams a cover drive against Harshit, and picks up 4. Good over from Harshit, otherwise. He has been India's most economical bowler today.

SA 278/8 (42)

End of Kuldeep Yadav's spell. 68 runs he has conceded, yes, but he has also taken four vital wickets. two decisive ones came in the same over, when he dismissed Jansen and Breetzke in the space of three balls. Once again, he has shown his incredible value as an X-factor.

SA 270/8 (40)

OUT! Prenelan Subrayen departs! Tries to take on Kuldeep, but mistimes his shot completeley. The ball goes high up, but no distance on it. KL Rahul calls for it and takes a comfortable catch.

SA 270/8 (39.3)

Hammered by Subrayen! 4 more! Once again, pitched short by Jadeja and given the treatment by SA's No. 9. South Africa continue to chip along. This game is not over!

SA 263/7 (39)

Maximum! Prenelan Subrayen slams Kuldeep Yadav for 6 over mid-wicket. Both him and Bosch are more than handy batters, so India cannot afford to take their foot off the gas.

SA 257/7 (38)

DRS review goes down the drain for India. Ravindra Jadeja traps Corbin Bosch on the pads, big appeal but the umpire says no. Jadeja urges Rahul to take a review, which the latter does. UltraEdge shows there was an edge off Bosch's bat.

Two balls later, Bosch slams a boundary!

SA 246/7 (36.3)

Couple of mighty strokes from Corbin Bosch after coming in to bat at No. 8. He has slammed two boundaries, and bears the responsibility now of resurrecting South Africa's run chase.

The Proteas need 108 runs in 84 balls, but have only 3 wickets in hand.

SA 242/7 (36)

OUT! Kuldeep Yadav has 2 wickets in 3 balls! Matthew Breetzke holds out to long-on, and Kuldeep has single-handedly derailed the South African run chase in 1 over. Both set batters are gone!

SA 228/7 (33.3)

GONE! Huge wicket. Massive wicket. Marco Jansen goes for a big shot, but doesn't get the timing on it. He finds the fielder at mid-wicket. "That's a big, big, big, big wicket," exclaims Sunil Gavaskar on commentary.

SA 227/6 (33.1)

A slow-ish cutter from Harshit Rana, Breetzke misjudges it and it crashes into the right side of his helmet. Harshit raises a hand to check if he's okay. Breetzke receives some medical treatment, as is mandatory. He appears to be fine.

SA 227/5 (33)

Another powerful hit! Short from Jadeja, and Jansen returns it back at him with a thunderous hit. The ball zooms narrowly past the bowler. Eighth boundary for Jansen. The required rate is now almost the same as the scoring rate.

SA 223/5 (32)

Marco Jansen spoils what started off as a good over from Arshdeep. Two wonderful strokes, one on either side of the ground. Proper cricketing shots these, not just a show of brute power. Jansen is on 63 off 33.

A bit of a silence surrounding the Ranchi ground. 

SA 216/5 (31)

Rohit Sharma was the most vocal in the Indian team huddle during the drinks break after the 30th over. A lot of instructions coming from the former India captain, who'll be hoping to chip in with his experience as India aim to tackle a tricky scenario.

30 overs done, and wow. How the tide of this contest has swung. Dewald Brevis first with an aggressive knock, and then Marco Jansen showing off brute force. Matthew Breetzke has held one end firmly.

SA need 144 off 120. They have hope. India desperately need to break this partnership.

SA 206/5 (30)

FOUR! 50 for Marco Jansen in just 26 balls! This has been an absolutely incredible knock, and it has brought South Africa right back into the game. 5 boundaries and 3 sixes! 

SA 198/5 (29)

Up in the air, but it lands safely! Marco Jansen caught out by a slower delivery from Arshdeep, and he mistimed his shot, but no fielder inside the circle on the leg-side. South Africa survive!

SA 192/5 (28.3)

Hammered! The charge continues from Marco Jansen. Poor delivery from Arshdeep, and crunched through mid-off for 4 by Jansen. He is on 44 off 19. India are being taken apart by an absolute whirlwind.

SA 183/5 (26.3)

MAXIMUMS! Marco Jansen is cutting loose! Two in a row from SA's No. 7. Jansen smashes the first one over mid-wicket, and then the next one over long-on. This is terrific batting. Jansen is 38 off 16!

SA 177/5 (26)

Top hitting! Much like in the Test series, Marco Jansen has come out with one thing in mind: playing the big shots. He first sweeps, and then reverse-sweeps against Kuldeep, and gets 4 both times. But that's not all - Jansen hammers Kuldeep for a maximum over mid-wicket! 15 off the over.

SA 162/5 (25)

Fifty up for Matthew Breetzke! He has played really well today, and kept one end intact, all the while wickets have kept falling at the other end. As long as he stays, South Africa will have a glimmer of hope of winning this one.

SA 143/5 (23.2)

BIG WICKET! After three consecutive dots, Dewald Brevis looks to go big against Harshit Rana, but finds the fielder at deep extra cover. Crucial wicket for India. Brevis' flying knock comes to an end on 37. Good catch by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Harshit is pumped, and looked to give Brevis a bit of a send-off with a pointed finger. His third wicket of the day.

SA 130/5 (21.4)

Dewald Brevis continues the aggressive approach, and now luck is going in his favour. Goes for a big shot against Kuldeep, gets an outside edge, but it flies for 4 through third-man. No slip or any fielder there.

Brevis' knock has taken South Africa's run-rate over 6!

SA 130/4 (21)

Dewald Brevis is on fire! The South African batter is on an absolute roll here, and his knock is approach is putting the Indian bowlers under pressure. Two cracking shots against Harshit Rana, who has been India's most successful bowler today. First a boundary through the off-side, and then a flick of the wrist, over mid-wicket, for 6!

SA 123/4 (20)

Top shot! Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack for the first time today, and his former CSK teammate Dewald Brevis welcomes him with a magnificent hit. Back over the bowler's head, straight bat, 6! 100 up for South Africa.

Three balls later, Brevis goes for another big hit, this time over long-on, and gets 6 more! Just over a leaping Kohli in the deep.

SA 108/4 (17.4)

Hammered, once again! Breetzke rocks onto his back foot and crunches it for 4 past mid-on. He enters the forties with that stroke, and is going at a run-a-ball. If South Africa have any hope of winning from here, they need Breetzke and Brevis to play long.

SA 94/4 (17)

Wow, what a shot! Dug in short by Prasidh Krishna and pulled away for 6 by Breetzke. Smashed over deep square-leg, excellent hit. The right-hander is now inching closer to his half-century.

SA 86/4 (16)

Successful DRS review! Kuldeep Yadav traps Tony de Zorzi on the pads, and urges KL Rahul to take the review as soon as the umpire says not out. Rahul takes it, and guess what? It is out! Hawkeye shows three reds, and Kuldeep delivers a wicket in his first over.

The Indian team erupt into celebration! Virat Kohli is pumped, he roars aggressively!

SA 77/4 (15)

Lovely shot. Short from Washington, Breetzke gets onto the back foot and cuts it for 4, square of the wicket. That boundary brings up the 50-run partnership between Breetzke and de Zorzi.

SA 65/3 (13)

After 9 dots in a row, Prasidh Krishna finally concedes some runs, and it's a boundary. A tad too full from the pacer and de Zorzi hammers it for 4 through the covers. Prasidh returns to basics in the next two, and does not concede another run.

SA 58/3 (12)

KL Rahul may be the stand-in captain, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's influence is clear as day. Both experienced stalwarts are advising the bowlers and helping Rahul in setting the field. 

Tony de Zorzi comes down the track to play Washington, but misses the delivery completely. Fortunately for him, KL Rahul misses it too, and it goes for 4! Had Rahul collected it, there was a golden stumping opportunity.

SA 54/3 (11)

Great start by Prasidh Krishna! Maiden over to Matthew Breetzke. Rounds up the first 10 overs on a positive note for India. 3 wickets in this period, and South Africa have a mountain to climb from here.

SA 47/3 (10)

Arshdeep Singh taken off, Washington Sundar brought in, but Tony de Zorzi continues to mount the charge. Comes down the track and slams it over mid-off for 4. Those are the only runs of the over, though.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl next.

SA 47/3 (9)

Tony de Zorzi now with a wonderful drive through the covers against Harshit Rana. South Africa picking up runs at regular intervals. Harshit improves his line and comes back much sharper, even testing de Zorzi and narrowly missing the edge of his bat on the fourth ball.

SA 43/3 (8)

Glorious shots! Matthew Breetzke hits two cracking cover drives in consecutive deliveries to kickstart Arshdeep's fourth over. A couple of dots follow, but then Breetzke punches it square for 4 more on the fifth ball. 12 off the over.

SA 36/3 (7)

Important runs for South Africa. First, Breetzke slams a cover drive against Harshit Rana to get his first boundary of the day. Two balls later, Harshit tests Tony de Zorzi with a good short delivery, but the left-hander reacts at the last second and upper cuts it over the slips for 4.

SA 24/3 (6)

GONE! Another one bites the dust. This time it's South Africa's captain Aiden Markram. Markram looks drive at a delivery outside off-stump, but ends up nicking it and KL Rahul takes his second catch of the game. 

South Africa are 3 down inside 5 overs!

SA 11/3 (4.4)

Harshit Rana bowls another excellent over with the new ball. Troubling Breetzke with swing and bounce. He has given India a fabulous start, and derailed South Africa massively in their run chase.

SA 11/2 (4)

Good swing for the Indian pacers early on in the innings and they have kept South Africa under the pump. Just one came off the second over of Arshdeep Singh. Harshit Rana will continue from the other end. Here we go... 

SA 9-2 (3)

Quinton de Kock is GONE! Harshit Rana is breathing fire at the moment. That is the second wicket for him in just three balls. That was bowled fuller well outside off-stump and de Kock threw hit bat to it for a drive and ended up finding an ouside edge.

SA 7-2 (1.3)

OUT! Harshit Rana has struck on the very first ball here. That is a superb delivery to start with. It was a good length delivery that went through the defence of Ryan Rickelton and hit the middle stump. South Africa are one down. 

SA 7-1 (1.1)

It was pitched up outside off-stump by Arshdeep Singh, and Aiden Markram drove it away for a classy four through the extra-cover region. The fielder there put in a desperate leap to his right, but in vain, as the ball whizzed past him.

SA 6-0(1)

Arshdeep Singh with the new ball in hand. Aiden Markram is on strike, Ryan Rickelton is at the other end. Here we go... The left-arm pacer starts with a fuller delivery, swinging into Markram, and the South Africa opener defends it on the front foot.

At the innings break, former India captain and legendary batter, Sunil Gavaskar, hailed Virat Kohli as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) in ODIs. Kohli has scored 14,390 runs in 306 matches in the format at an average of 58.02. He has 52 centuries and 75 fifties to his name.

South Africa will get the assistance of dew during their run chase, but 350 is still a hugely daunting target ahead of them. Only once has a total of 350 or more been chased down against India in India. 

Vintage Virat Kohli. In a ground where Kohli boasted an average of nearly 200 before the match started, he wowed the Ranchi crowd with yet another magnificent century. 135 off just 120. Not only was he rotating strike and hitting his lovely drives, but he brought out his power game too, smashing 7 sixes! Marshalled the entire innings, and helped both Rohit and Rahul play their natural game.

Bit of drama on the final ball. Corbin Bosch doesn't get his hattrick, and Kuldeep and Harshit scamper back for 2 runs. SA take a review, it's definitely not out, going way down leg. Kuldeep made it back in time, so India get the full 2 runs. India end on 349.

IND 349/8 (50)

SA Target: 350

What a ball! Corbin Bosch is on a hattrick! He cleans up Arshdeep Singh first ball with an absolute ripper. Perfect yorker, Arshdeep has no answer. Kuldeep will face the final ball, which is also the hattrick ball.

IND 347/8 (49.5)

OUT! Ravindra Jadeja goes for the big shot but departs. Mistimes it, and finds the fielder at long-on. India are 3 runs away from the 350-run mark. 2 balls are remaining.

IND 347/7 (49.4)

WOW! KL Rahul, that is outrageous! Rahul anticipates Jansen's delivery and reverse laps it for 6 over third-man. And oh dear. He tries the same shot on the very next ball, but doesn't get the timing and gets caught behind.

IND 341/6 (48.5)

Jadeja crunches it through the covers, Matthew Breetzke puts in a valiant effort to save the boundary but the ball somehow finds it way onto the fence. The left-hander is on 28 off 16, he's played a fine knock.

IND 334/5 (48.2)

Run-a-ball half-century for KL Rahul! India's stand-in captain took some time to get settled, but he's broken loose in the last few overs and taken his side close to 350. A very well-made fifty.

IND 326/5 (47.1)

Boundary! Ravindra Jadeja ends the 47th over with 4 runs. Short delivery down leg-side, Jadeja pulls and guides it for 4 through fine-leg. 11 off the over.

IND 324/5 (47)

Now Ravindra Jadeja enters the party! Short but a slower ball from Bosch, and Jadeja helps it over fine-leg for a maximum. 15th six of the Indian innings. 13 runs off the 46th over, and India are motoring along towards 350.

IND 313/5 (46)

300 up for India! KL Rahul has found his groove at just the right time. He smashes two sixes against Nandre Burger. First 6 is a short delivery pulled away over deep square-leg. The second 6 is a slower one helped over deep point. Top class batting.

5 overs to go. 350 will be the minimum that India eye from here.

IND 301/5 (45)

OUT! End of Virat Kohli's knock. He looks to go big, but mistimes it. The ball goes high and a good diving catch is taken by Ryan Rickelton. Kohli raises his bat, acknowledges the crowd as he walks off. He receives a well-deserved standing ovation. 

11 boundaries, 7 sixes. This is arguably the best Virat Kohli we've seen since the 2023 World Cup.

IND 276/5 (42.5)

Virat Kohli receives some presses on his back from the Indian medical team. He has played 116 balls today, and is just getting some weariness off before the final stretch of play. How far can India get from here?

IND 272/4 (42)

Crucial boundary for KL Rahul! He doesn't time it well enough, but he finds the gap near mid-wicket and gets 4 runs. Dive from Brevis, but it goes for 4. Rahul has struggled so far, but he'll hope that shot helps him get into groove.

IND 270/4 (41.3)

Nothing seems to be able to stop Virat Kohli now! He comes down the track and thunders a boundary through the covers for 4. Two balls later, he slaps a full toss back past the bowler for 4. Kohli is already up to 131. The 150 is nearby!

IND 264/4 (40)

Virat Kohli has gone absolutely berserk! He has just smashed Prenelan Subrayen for 20 runs in four balls. 4. 6. 6. 4. WOW. First a flick through the on-side for 4, then a maximum clobbered over mid-wicket for, then a full toss cleared over long-on for 6, and then a boundary square.

IND 254/4 (39)

52nd ODI century for Virat Kohli! He gets there with a boundary through third-man. Huge, huge roars from the crowd at Ranchi. They came to witness the King and the King delivered. What a knock this has been. 7 boundaries, 5 sixes.

Kohli overtakes Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries by a batter in a single format. Kohli's 52 in ODIs is more than Sachin's 51 in Tests.

IND 233/4 (38)

Kohli up to 98! The Ranchi crowd can feel it, nearly touch it now. Short from Jansen and pulled away for 4 through mid-wicket by Virat Kohli. Just 2 runs away! 

IND 225/4 (36)

India's scoring rate has slowed down considerably now. Kohli's strike-rate has gone below 100 for the first time today. Just 20 runs have been added in the last 5 overs. Good, tight bowling from South Africa in this period.

IND 218/4 (35)

Virat Kohli has slowed down a bit with the century getting nearer. Some of that must be due to the fact that India have lost two wickets in a short span, and it is important for Kohli to be steady at one end. He is into the nervous 90s now.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has slammed his first boundary.

IND 208/4 (32)

GONE! India lose their fourth wicket just after reaching 200. Washington Sundar mistimes a drive, Corbin Bosch leaps up at mid-off and takes a sharp catch. He departs for 13 off 19. 

India's stand-in captain KL Rahul will be up next!

IND 200/4 (30.3)

30 overs done in the Indian innings. India's run-rate has dipped a tad after Rohit's departure, but they're still going at well over a run-a-ball. Kohli is well set at the other end, and is just 12 runs away from his century.

IND 198/3 (30)

Washington Sundar comes in to bat at No. 5. With no Axar Patel in the squad, it is Washington who has taken up his role in the batting order. And he slams a maximum against Nandre Burger to get off the mark! Short ball from Burger and upper cut for 6 by Washington. Virat Kohli looks pumped at that shot!

IND 192/3 (28)

One-handed diving stunner! Dewald Brevis plucks one out of thin air and Ruturaj Gaikwad's ODI comeback ends early. Gaikwad went for the cut, but Brevis, fielding at gully, takes an absolute blinder, diving to his right.

It's a CSK player ending the stay of his CSK captain!

IND 183/3 (26.3)

Punched through the covers by Virat Kohli. First boundary after Rohit's departure. Kohli moves into the 80s with that shot. He is just 17 away from a 52nd ODI century now.

IND 179/2 (25)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has made his way into the middle. He was the 'Player of the Series' for India A against South Africa A in a recent one-day series, and was rewarded with a callup. Today, he has replaced the injured Shreyas Iyer at No. 4.

First ODI in nearly two years for Gaikwad.

Big wicket for South Africa! Marco Jansen is brought back into the attack, and gets Rohit out LBW. The 38-year-old is deceived by the bounce and is trapped on the pads after mistiming an attempted pull. 

He has a chat with Kohli, whose reaction suggested it was out too. Rohit refuses to take the DRS and walks off.

IND 161/2 (21.2)

Rohit Sharma gets the record outright! Short from Jansen and pulled for 6 over fine-leg. 352nd maximum for Rohit in ODI cricket, he goes past Shahid Afridi for the most ODI sixes by any batter in cricket history. He has done it in 100 less matches than Afridi.

IND 153/1 (20)

50 for Rohit Sharma! The India opener nudges it to mid-wicket to pick up a single and notch up his 60th ODI fifty. His third half-century in a row in ODI cricket. Five boundaries and two maximums in that knock today.

IND 146/1 (19)

Oh my goodness! Virat Kohli, take a bow. 50 up for the King in just 48 balls. He clobbers Corbin Bosch for a maximum over long-on to reach the milestone. 76th ODI half-century for him.

But he does not stop there! Next ball is wide and short and is upper cut for 6 over deep point by Kohli. Incredible.

IND 140/1 (18)

The 100-run partnership comes up. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both been absolutely imperious so far today. The duo are both on 47 now. Their efforts have seen India score at well over 7 runs per over throughout the entire innings.

IND 126/1 (17)

Rohit Sharma goes for a sweep against Prenelan Subrayen, but misjudges the shot and gets hit on the helmet. Nasty blow, on the right side of the grill. He is receiving some medical treatment, but is okay to continue.

IND 124/1 (16.4)

SMASHED! Two sixes in a row for Rohit Sharma! 350th and 351st sixes in ODI cricket for Rohit Sharma. He equals Shahid Afridi for the most sixes by a batter in ODI history. One maximum away from the record outright. Rohit enters the forties.

IND 116/1 (14.2)

100 up for India! The three-figure mark comes up in 13.3 overs. This has been an excellent start by the men in blue, with Virat Kohli oozing class and nearing his half-century. Just 7 away from the milestone.

IND 104/1 (14)

After 12 overs, Aiden Markram opts for some spin. Prenelan Subrayen, a man with origins in India's state of Tamil Nadu, comes into the attack. Bit of a quiet over after a long time, 4 runs coming off it.

IND 98/1 (13)

Rohit Sharma, so delicate! Just guides it, caresses it through gully for 4 against Baartman. "That's skill, that's class, that's experience for you," says Ravi Shastri from the commentary box, clearly in awe of the stroke.

IND 92/1 (11.3)

Cracking cover drive! Virat Kohli is simply not relenting. He is in the zone. He is playing some gorgeous shots, rotating strike rate wonderfully. Simply vintage stuff. 15 runs away from his half-century now.

IND 85/1 (10.4)

WOW! Virat Kohli is playing some incredible shots today. He steps out and deposits Ottneil Baartman for 6 over long-off. Second maximum from his blade. Kohli has been simply outstanding so far. 30 off 26!

IND 80/1 (10)

Two boundaries in a row! Rohit Sharma continues to score runs from the other end too! He dishes out the treatment to his MI teammate Corbin Bosch. First, a full one from Bosch is flicked away through mid-wicket for 4. Then Bosch pitches it short, and Rohit pulls it hard for 4!

India racing along at 8 runs per over.

IND 72/1 (9)

Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent. Virat Kohli hammers Nandre Burger for a maximum over long-off. Next ball, width offered and Kohli drives it for 4 through gully. This is a superb start made by Kohli. 

"Unbelievable shot," says Deep Dasgupta on air.

IND 62/1 (8)

Another gorgeous drive! This time from Rohit Sharma's blade. India are racing at more than 7 runs an over at this stage, and both stalwarts are playing some fine strokes. Driven through the covers by Rohit to bring up the 50-run mark for India. Jansen has gone for 30 in his first 4 overs.

IND 52/1 (7)

First boundary for Rohit! Stands tall and punches it through the covers for 4. Width offered by Jansen, and punished by Rohit. Remember, he was dropped on 1 by the Proteas not too long ago. Will he make them pay heavily for it?

IND 43/1 (6.2)

Glorious! Vintage Virat Kohli. Shot of the day so far. That is as aesthetic as it can get. Full, Kohli punches it down the ground, past mid-off for 4. Beautiful shot, his second boundary. Ranchi sent into rapture with that stroke.

IND 37/1 (5.2)

Massive relief for Rohit Sharma! The Indian opener mistimes a pull, but Tony de Zorzi completely fumbles an easy catch at deep square-leg. Rohit has been put down on 1. How badly will that come back to bite the Proteas?

IND 31/1 (4)

Virat Kohli is off the mark with a boundary, first ball! Thick edge, off the top of the bat and into the third-man fence for 4. Bit of luck, but the runs keep flowing. That gets the crowd going instantly.

IND 29/1 (3.2)

GONE! Yashasvi Jaiswal's early burst comes to an end rather prematurely. He ends up nicking a delivery and is caught behind. Nandre Burger gets the wicket. Jaiswal is gone for 18.

Right then, Virat Kohli is walking in next. Huge rorars from the Ranchi crowd.

IND 25/1 (3.1)

Maximum! Yashasvi Jaiswal receives short from Jansen again, and helps it over fine-leg for 6. Off the edge of the bat, but the extra pace is enough to carry it the distance. Already, Jaiswal is up to his best ODI score.

IND 24/0 (2.3)

Boundary for Jaiswal! Second one for him. Jaiswal opens the face of the bat against Nandre Burger, but it takes a bit of an edge and goes past the slips and into the fence for 4. Two early boundaries for Jaiswal, and a fast start for India.

IND 15/0 (1.4)

We are LIVE! What a start! Yashasvi Jaiswal off the mark with a superb shot. Short from Marco Jansen, Jaiswal stands tall and helps it over the circle and into the fence for 4. Next ball is 4 byes! Too short from Jansen and it goes over everyone and behind for 4.

IND 8/0 (0.2)

A big day for Yashasvi Jaiswal, as he'll be playing only his second ODI. Jaiswal made his debut against England earlier this year, and scored 15 runs. Can he kick on and get a big score today? He's likely to play all 3 matches in this series, due to Gill's injury.

Just ahead of the start of play, visuals show Rohit Sharma leading the conversation in a team huddle. With no Gill, don't be surprised to see Rohit be a vocal leader throughout this series.

KL Rahul and Gautam Gambhir have taken some big calls for the first ODI. Firstly, three frontline pacers are playing, meaning that all-rounder Nitish Reddy sits out. Washington Sundar is set to bat at No. 5, taking over Axar Patel's role. And finally, no Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma! India have gone with the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad to play at No. 4.

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.

"We would have bowled first as well. The preparation has been good, the energy is there with a lot of players coming back, we want to enjoy ourselves in the middle. That's what the chat has been, we need to use every opportunity we get in the ODI team, this is a great chance to challenge our skills against a very good team. Three spinners and three quicks for us today," said KL Rahul. 

"We'll bowl first. Spent a couple of evenings, dew at night time and it'll be slightly easier to bat at night. Different personnel, the dressing room is at a good place with a lot of energy and fun. It's an important series, the end role the 2027 WC, still a bit of time, but we're up against one of the best teams in the world. Just one spinner in Subrayen, I will bowl a bit - Temba and Maharaj have been rested, four seamers for us today," said Aiden Markram.

South Africa stand-in skipper Aiden Markram wins the toss, opts to field against India in the first ODI of the three-match series in Ranchi on Sunday. 

Ohh!!! Few minutes before the toss, it has been revealed that the Proteas will be led by Aiden Markram today in the first ODI against India in Ranchi. 

"67m and 65m square boundaries, the straight boundary is at 75m. This pitch is being used for the first time in international cricket after being re-laid in 2023. It looks good, a few cracks, but there's enough grass cover to keep it binded. It's very hard and it should play nicely. Will it crumble under the footholes and help spin going further? The pitch was relaid with Cuttack black / Orissa black which suggests that there should be more carry and bounce when compared to the previous wicket. It should be a good batting surface, but dew could play a big factor. It would make sense to chase here, reckon Deep Dasgupta and Shaun Pollock, in their pitch report.

Incidentally, it was at this very JSCA Stadium back in 2013 that Rohit Sharma was first backed as a full-time opener -- a defining moment that transformed not only his white-ball career but also India's 50-over outlook for years. More than a decade later, the 37-year-old walks into Ranchi again, this time seeking a different kind of revival as India attempt to rebuild after losing the home Test series. For India, the ODI series comes in the shadow of the T20 World Cup at home next year, a tournament that will invariably dictate selection priorities.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, too, enters this series under scrutiny though his job is not under threat since his contract runs till 2027 World Cup. His tactical calls and team selections were questioned after the Test setback -- his second major failure since taking charge. This ODI series is an important opportunity for Gambhir to stabilise the narrative and showcase clarity in India's white-ball direction.

India will look to address several lingering selection puzzles when they take on South Africa on Sunday in the first ODI where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the set-up for a short audition that could well shape their 2027 World Cup fate.

Batters With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket:

1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): 351 sixes

2. Rohit Sharma (India): 349 sixes

3. Chris Gayle (West Indies): 331 sixes

4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): 270 sixes

5. MS Dhoni (India): 229 sixes

Rohit Sharma is all set to rewrite the record books in ODI cricket as India take on South Africa in the first ODI. Needing just three more maximums to secure the title of the format's most prolific six-hitter, Rohit stands right on the cusp of history. The India opener currently stands a mere two sixes shy of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who currently leads the chart with a formidable tally of 351 sixes.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa, straight from the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. Stay tuned for all the live updates.