India Kick Off ODI Series with 68-Run Thrashing of South Africa
India launched their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a commanding 68-run victory in the 1st ODI at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on November 30, 2025. Batting first after Rohit Sharma won the toss, India posted 348 for 6, powered by Shubman Gill’s 142 and KL Rahul’s 88. South Africa were then restricted to 280 all out in 48.2 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah (4-48) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-52) ripping through the middle order. The win gives India a 1-0 lead, extending their home ODI dominance to 12 straight series wins.
Ranchi’s 39,000-capacity bowl was electric — day-night crowds of 32,000 roaring under floodlights as Gill carved the Proteas’ attack. The pitch, a belter with true bounce and lightning outfield, offered little to bowlers after the dew set in. Rohit’s decision to bat first was vindicated by a top-order blitz; for Markram, the loss exposed familiar death-bowling woes.
India XI
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa XI
Aiden Markram (c), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Umpires: Anil Chaudhary & KN Ananthapadmanabhan. Third umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.
India – 348-6 (50 overs)
Rohit (28) smashed Jansen for two sixes before holing out — 48-1. Gill and Kohli added 112; Kohli fell for 58, caught at long-on off Maharaj — 160-2. Gill reached 142 off 128 balls (14×4, 3×6) before skying Rabada. Rahul anchored with 88 off 82, Samson (32), Pandya (28) blasted 48 off the last 3 overs. Rabada 2-72, Ngidi 2-88.
South Africa – 280 all out (48.2 overs)
De Zorzi (48) and Markram (38) added 78; Arshdeep trapped Markram lbw — 78-1. Bavuma (52) pulled Pandya for six before Kuldeep’s googly bowled him — 138-3. Bumrah’s yorker barrage: Stubbs (28) cleaned up, Bedingham (32) lbw — 188-5. Rickelton top-scored with 68 before holing out to long-off off Kuldeep. Jansen (18) skied Thakur — 280 all out. Bumrah 4-48, Kuldeep 3-52.
Key Moments
- Powerplay: India 72-1, SA 68-1
- Death overs: India 88 off last 8, SA 62 off last 10
- DLS par score: 312 at SA’s fall of 5th wicket
Rohit Sharma: “Gill’s 142 set the tone; bowlers clinical under lights.”
Shubman Gill, Player of the Match: “Ranchi track was a dream; loved the chase vibe.”
Markram: “Leaked 100 in last 10 — need to tighten up in Visakhapatnam.”
Series: India 1–0 South Africa
- 2nd ODI: Visakhapatnam, December 3 (D/N)
- 3rd ODI: Kolkata, December 6 (D/N)
India one win from 13th straight home ODI series.
