Overview
- India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a 17-run victory in Ranchi powered by Virat Kohli’s 135—his 52nd ODI hundred—and Rohit Sharma’s 57.
- South Africa recovered from 11/3 to nearly chase 349, with Matthew Breetzke scoring 72, Marco Jansen smashing 70 off 39, and Corbin Bosch contributing late-order hitting.
- The second ODI in Raipur on December 3 gives India a chance to clinch the series at a venue with limited history, including a low-scoring India–New Zealand ODI in 2023.
- Temba Bavuma said Kohli and Rohit’s presence bolsters India but backed the Proteas to respond; his return, and likely Keshav Maharaj’s, follows their rest for the opener.
- Off-field narratives persist around reported strain involving coach Gautam Gambhir, while on-field questions for India include middle-order roles for Ruturaj Gaikwad and Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana’s death-overs control, and Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/68 impact.