Honour to play against Virat Kohli: Imran Tahir

Team India started off the limited-overs leg of the South Africa series on a winning note. After having beaten South Africa in the final Test match, they carried on the momentum into the One-Day International series. In the first ODI between the two sides that was played yesterday, Virat Kohli’s boys beat the Proteas comprehensively taking a lead of 1-0 in the series.

The Indian bowlers were on the top of their game and continued to impress everyone. At one stage of the innings, the South African side was down to 134-5 in just the 28th over. However, captain Faf du Plessis battled hard and hit one of the best centuries of his career. He tackled the Indian wrist spinners well and scored a brilliant 120 in only 112 balls. But his efforts were not sufficient to take South Africa through past the victory line.

Chasing 270 runs, India lost the wicket of opener Rohit Sharma early. But Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli steadied the ship although Shikhar got run out on 35. Ajinkya Rahane who has made a comeback into the ODI XI played a magnificent knock. Batting at the crucial No.4 position, he hit 79 runs off 86 balls.

Virat Kohli’s blistering 33rd ODI century

The innings that stood out was the Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s 33rd ODI century. He looked very positive out there in the middle and was determined to win the game. Kohli took advantage of all the opportunities that came his way and had no respite for the bowlers. He was absolutely pumped up after reaching the century and celebrated it in style.

Virat hit some glorious shots on either side of the wicket, on the front foot as well as the back foot. Some of the shots that Virat had played were absolutely mind-boggling and even took the opposition by awe. He dominated throughout his innings but got out just eight runs before India reached the target. MS Dhoni then came in at the fall of his wicket and finished off one of the best ever chases by India with a four.

Moreover, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir was highly impressed with the knock and took it to Twitter to praise Kohli’s brilliance. He said that it was an honor to play against Kohli and also shared a picture of him congratulating Virat after he got out.