IND vs SA: Who said what after the first ODI in Ranchi

India won the first IND vs SA ODI in Ranchi.

After a horrible outing in the test series, India started the ODI series on a high as they beat South Africa by 17 runs in the series opener at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

India didn’t have the kind of start they would have wanted as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal perished early in the fourth over. But after that, it was a feast for fans as Rohit Sharma (57) and Virat Kohli (135) stole the show with their brilliant batting performance. Both legends batted incredibly well, adding 136 runs for the second wicket. 

While Rohit fell after fifty, Kohli slammed a brilliant century, his 52nd in ODIs. He was all over the opposition and despite India losing wickets in the middle, he carried on hitting bowlers. In the end, captain KL Rahul (60) and Ravindra Jadeja (32) finished the innings on a high as India posted a total of 349 for eight.

In the second innings, India were off to a flying start with the ball with Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh wreaking havoc with the new ball. South Africa were left at 11 for three when Matthew Breetzke (72) and Tony de Zorzi (39) joined hands and added a 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. 

Following the wicket of Zorzi, Dewald Brevis (37) provided momentum to the South African innings. But the limelight was taken by Marco Jansen (70), who hit a brutal fifty as he and Breetzke added 97 runs to put India under pressure. Corbin Bosch (67) hit fifty to put India under pressure, but Indian bowlers held their nerves and won the match by 17 runs.

We wanted to attack despite it being tough to bowl as wickets were important – Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav, who took four wickets in the first match, said that he wanted to attack the batters right from the start. He also pointed out how Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen put them under pressure and they wanted to take the wicket desperately. Speaking after the match, he said:

“When I came after the first spell, I had a chat with KL. We wanted to attack despite it being tough to bowl as wickets were important. I was mixing up the scrambled seam and seam up. Just tried to go back of length. It was easy to connect off a full length. (One ball rule after 34) It is very challenging, the ball was getting really wet. We kept putting dust and asked the ump for a replacement, that was the plan.

“We saw a couple of great innings from Bosch and Jansen, wanted to get a wicket. I bowled few balls slower through the air, but you can’t just rely on stock balls. You have to mix things up and keep batters guessing. Do that and bowl wicket to wicket. That was my plan. (Jansen’s wicket) He was hitting everywhere. Good balls were travelling too. You get lucky and his wicket changed the game.”

Top order falling was defining – Aiden Markram

South Africa captain Aiden Markram talked about the loss, saying that early wickets cost them the match but they felt that chase was their best chance to win. He also lauded Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen for their brilliant innings down the order. He said:

“Proud of the chase. Great to watch guys do their thing and never lose belief. All of us were quietly hopeful. Top order falling was defining. Still felt like chasing was the best way to win, but the top order fell early. Small bits of pieces to do better.

“Glaring one is the top order to get through the swinging ball. And do some things better in the field. Bosch and Jansen allow us to bat deep. They’ve done well with bat in the recent past. We want to play smart.“

Watching Rohit and Kohli play like that is always fun – KL Rahul

India captain KL Rahul was honest to admit that they were under pressure but lauded his team for sticking to their plans. He also talked about his role at six, saying that it helps him in personal development. The keeper-batter also lauded Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their heroics, saying that they made opposition look silly.

“I’d be lying if I said no butterflies in the stomach. We’re playing ODI cricket after a while. There’s some expectation. But we kept taking wickets and bowlers stuck to plans. They pushed us and kept coming hard. Batting at No. 6 is okay, gotta do the job for the team. That’s the role I’ve been given in the last 2-3 series. It’s helping personal development.

“Watching Rohit and Kohli play like that is always fun. They’ve made oppositions look silly and show why they are who they are. I’ve seen this for a long time, lot more fun to see them around in the dressing room. Harshit’s done really well, we knew he has potential. He’s tall and can bowl fast, he can give runs in the back end but he has great potential. To get crucial new-ball wickets is what we expect. Kuldeep is doing this job, key for us to take wickets.”

I just wanted to play the ball and enjoy the game of cricket – Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, who won the Player of the Match, said that he wanted to enjoy the game and all his cricket has been about mental things. Elaborating on his preparations, he said:

“Today was really nice to get into the game like that. Pitch played decently for 20-25 overs before slowing down. I just wanted to play the ball and enjoy the game of cricket. It was about enjoying and when you get a start, then the experience kicks in and you’re able to build an innings. I’ve never been a believer of a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard, as long as my fitness levels are up and then you visualise batting and feeling well, it’s good.

“I wanted to get hold of conditions in Ranchi. I visualise the game a lot, when I think about the game, if I see myself being intense and sharp, I know I can relax and play out there. I’ve played 300-odd ODI games and so much cricket, if you’re in touch with the game and are able to hit balls in the practice, if you bat for an hour or two in the nets, you know you’re good. If you’re out of form, you want to play more in the nets. Other than, it’s about being mentally ready and enjoying the game.”

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