India vs South Africa 1st ODI Ranchi: Rohit Sharma’s 60th Fifty, Virat Kohli’s 52nd Century & India’s Thrilling Win

Cricket fans could feel the electricity in the air in Ranchi as India welcomed back two giants of world cricket — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — to the ODI format. And what a grand comeback it turned out to be. This wasn’t just another bilateral match. This was a reminder of how Indian cricket feels when its two biggest pillars walk out with purpose, hunger and intent.

The crowd roared, the tricolour waved with pride and Indian fans around the world felt the joy of watching their favourite stars return to international cricket and light up the stadium like only they can.

Rohit Sharma Returns With a Sparkling 60th Half-Century

The moment Rohit Sharma took guard, everything felt familiar again — the calm stance, the effortless timing, the trademark pull shot. It didn’t take long for the Indian skipper to remind the world why he remains one of the greatest ODI openers of all time.

Rohit crafted a brilliant half-century — the 60th ODI fifty of his career — filled with elegance and authority. What made the innings even more historic was his new achievement, he surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the highest six-hitter in ODI cricket history.

Every time the ball sailed into the stands, Ranchi erupted. Fans weren’t just cheering a fifty, they were witnessing a record being rewritten in real time. Rohit’s innings laid the perfect foundation for India and signalled that the Hitman is truly back in rhythm.

Virat Kohli Steals the Show: A Majestic 52nd ODI Century

If Rohit brought assurance, Virat Kohli brought emotion.

Kohli walked out to a standing ovation, but what followed was a masterclass in ODI batting. Calm at the start, calculating through the middle overs and irresistible in the final stretch — this was vintage Virat Kohli.

His 52nd ODI hundred, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 and then extending the lead further, stamped his greatness once again. Every milestone he touches now feels like a moment Indian cricket is lucky to witness. This century wasn’t just about numbers — it was a message that King Kohli still rules the format.

With classic cover drives, sharp singles and that iconic intensity, Virat controlled the game beautifully. His ton ensured India posted a strong total and put the pressure firmly on South Africa.

India’s First-Innings Performance: A Strong, Confident Batting Display

India’s batting in the first innings felt like a statement — aggressive when needed, steady during tricky phases and explosive in the closing overs.

Key highlights:

Rohit’s commanding fifty gave India early momentum.
Kohli’s century anchored the innings and kept the scoreboard ticking.
The middle order contributed crucial runs, ensuring India crossed a competitive total.
Late-overs acceleration pushed India into a winning position.

The Indian dressing room looked upbeat and fans believed this score would challenge South Africa under lights.

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South Africa’s Chase: Early Collapse and Strong Middle-Order Fightback

South Africa’s innings began exactly how India wanted — early breakthroughs, pressure from both ends and the visitors struggling to stitch partnerships.

India’s bowlers struck with discipline:

Early wickets created panic in the South African top order.
Seamers used the Ranchi pitch effectively, forcing errors.
Fielders supported brilliantly, keeping the energy high.

However, South Africa deserves credit for their gritty middle-order resistance. At one stage, with a determined partnership building in the middle overs, the match looked set for a tense finish. Their counterattack brought the required rate under control and the momentum slowly began shifting.

But India wasn’t ready to give up.

India Hold Their Nerves in the Final Overs

With the match heading into the final stretch, the pressure intensified. South Africa kept fighting, but the Indian bowlers showed heart, patience and character.

Crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs halted South Africa’s momentum.
Tight death bowling forced mistakes from the visitors.
The spinners played a major role in keeping the scoring rate in check.
Fielding in the final few overs was sharp and full of intent.

In the last three overs, the match swung India’s way decisively. The bowlers stuck to their plans, the crowd pushed the team forward and finally — India sealed a thrilling victory.

The celebrations felt special. This wasn’t just a win — it was a comeback story for two legends, a collective effort from the team and a heartwarming moment for every Indian cricket fan.

Final Thoughts: A Dream Return for India and a Match to Remember

The first ODI in Ranchi will be remembered for many reasons:

The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to ODI cricket
Rohit’s 60th half-century and becoming the highest six-hitter in ODIs
Kohli’s 52nd ODI hundred, taking him beyond every batter in history
India’s powerful first-innings display
South Africa’s brave fightback
India’s nerve, discipline and passion to finish the match strong

For Indian cricket lovers, this was pure joy — the kind of match that reminds us why we adore this team, why we admire these players and why every victory feels like a celebration of the sport itself.

India leads the series, the confidence is soaring and fans can’t wait for the next chapter.

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Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
PopNewsBlend is my way of blending personal journeys with meaningful stories — ones that inform, inspire, and keep you ahead of the curve. Everything I write comes from real observations, hands-on experiences, and a deep passion for understanding the world around us.