In-form batsman Suresh Raina enjoyed the 1st ODI in Durban, and he congratulated Team India on the emphatic victory.
Raina tweeted saying it was an all-round show and a complete team effort. He called Indian skipper Virat Kohli the ‘run machine’ and credited Ajinkya Rahane too.
Raina will join the men in blue for the T20I series. He has been recalled into the Indian side after a year, all thanks to his prolific scoring in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Indian side is ranked one while South Africa is at the second spot.
Dhoni hits the Winning Run
Kohli cheered the loudest from the dressing room after MS Dhoni hit the winning boundary. It was a fitting start to the series, especially for the visitors. Having won nine of their last ten matches while chasing, the Indians started on a positive note until Kagiso Rabada provided the first breakthrough. The tourists lost the wicket of a well-settled Shikhar Dhawan due to a miscommunication between him and Kohli.
A Gripping Affair
There were a lot of eyeballs rolling and tempers flying, but everything took a backseat from there on. Ajinkya Rahane, who warmed the bench for the major part of the Test series played a splendid hand of 79 runs off 86 balls, including two maximums and five boundaries. He and Kohli forged a stand of 189 runs.
The highlight of India’s chase was a stylish ton from Kohli. He received a standing ovation after departing for a well made 112. The Indians failed to put the knock-out punch earlier, as they let South Africa recover from 134/5. The wrist spinners had a memorable day, as Kuldeep Yadav scalped three wickets while Yuzvendra Chahal bagged two.
Fabulous start to the series!! An all round effort in securing a big win. Another great century by the run machine, @imVkohli and a superb innings played by Ajju @ajinkyarahane88. Keep it up boys!@BCCI #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/uudgYEtl6k
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) February 1, 2018
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