South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: 1st ODI 2025 – Kohli’s Masterclass Seals Thrilling 17-Run Win for India

The iconic India vs South Africa cricket rivalry delivered another instant classic on November 30, 2025, when the two teams clashed in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. After South Africa stunned India by taking the preceding two-Test series (winning both matches convincingly), expectations were sky-high for the white-ball leg of the tour. India, desperate to bounce back on home soil, posted a mammoth 349/8, powered by Virat Kohli’s record-extending 52nd ODI century, and then defended it successfully in a nerve-shredding finish as South Africa fell 17 runs short despite a sensational lower-order fightback.

This South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team match scorecard is already being hailed as one of the most entertaining ODIs of the year, featuring 681 total runs (the highest aggregate ever in an India-South Africa ODI), 30 sixes combined, multiple records tumbling, and a finish that went down to the last over. Below is the complete South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team match scorecard, followed by in-depth analysis, key moments, player performances, and what it all means for the series.

Match Details

• Date: November 30, 2025 (Day-Night)
• Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
• Toss: South Africa won and elected to field
• Result: India won by 17 runs
• Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (135 off 120 balls)
• Series Status: India leads 1-0
• Umpires: Jayaraman Madanagopal, Sam Nogajski
• TV Umpire: Rod Tucker
• Match Referee: Richie Richardson

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard – India Innings

Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Jaiswal, 3.1), 2-161 (Rohit, 21.2), 3-183 (Gaikwad, 26.3), 4-200 (Sundar, 30.3), 5-276 (Kohli, 42.5), 6-341 (Rahul, 48.5), 7-347 (Jadeja, 49.4), 8-347 (Arshdeep, 49.5)

South Africa Bowling

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard – South Africa Innings (Target 350)

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Rickelton, 1.1), 2-7 (de Kock, 1.3), 3-11 (Markram, 4.4), 4-77 (de Zorzi, 14.6), 5-130 (Brevis, 21.4), 6-227 (Jansen, 33.1), 7-228 (Breetzke, 33.3), 8-270 (Subrayen, 39.3), 9-312 (Burger, 46.1), 10-332 (Bosch, 49.2)

India Bowling

How the Match Unfolded – A Blow-by-Blow Account

India lost their 19th consecutive ODI toss (yes, you read that right), and Aiden Markram had no hesitation in bowling first under sunny Ranchi skies. The afternoon pitch offered early movement, and Nandre Burger struck in the third over when Yashasvi Jaiswal top-edged a pull to Quinton de Kock. But what followed was pure vintage Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Rohit, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, launched into Prenelan Subrayen with two massive slog-sweeps for six, immediately overtaking Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record of 351 ODI sixes. Kohli, at the other end, was in imperious touch. Two off-drives for six in the first 10 overs signalled his intent. The pair added 136 runs in just 110 balls, with India racing to 80/1 in the powerplay and 161/1 after 21.2 overs when Rohit was trapped lbw by a skidding Marco Jansen delivery.

A mini-collapse followed as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Washington Sundar struggled against the older ball on a slowing surface, but Kohli farmed the strike masterfully. He reached his century off 102 balls with a trademark cover drive, leapt in joy, looked skyward with folded hands – an emotional release after months of scrutiny about his white-ball future. He then exploded, smashing 35 runs off his last 17 balls, including three sixes in the 49th over off Subrayen.

KL Rahul, captaining in place of the rested/injured regulars, played a perfect supporting role with 60 off 56, and some late Jadeja fireworks took India to 349/8, a total that looked 30–40 runs above par on that surface during the afternoon.

South Africa’s reply began in nightmare fashion. Debutant Harshit Rana, bowling with serious pace and swing, produced an over for the ages in the second over: Ryan Rickelton bowled by a nip-backer on the first ball, Quinton de Kock edging a beauty on Rahul’s third ball. When Arshdeep Singh had Markram caught behind in the fifth over, South Africa were reeling at 11/3.

Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi steadied things with a 66-run stand, followed by Dewald Brevis’ 37 off 28 that brought the crowd to life. But the game-changer arrived in the form of Marco Jansen. The giant all-rounder walked in at 130/5 and proceeded to tear into the bowling, 70 off just 39 balls, including the fastest fifty by a South African in India (26 balls). He and Breetzke added 97 in just 68 balls, suddenly making 350 look gettable.

Enter Kuldeep Yadav. In the 34th over, Jansen toe-ended a pull to deep midwicket, and two balls later, Breetzke holed out to long-on. 227/5 became 228/7, and the game swung decisively. Corbin Bosch, on debut, refused to give up a maiden ODI fifty (67 off 51), taking the equation to 19 needed off 10 balls. But Arshdeep Singh bowled a sensational wicket-maiden in the 47th over, and Prasidh Krishna finally got his yorker right to dismiss Bosch in the 50th. South Africa all out for 332, a valiant effort, but India held on.

Key Records Broken in the South Africa National Cricket Team vs the India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

• Virat Kohli now has 52 ODI hundreds, extending his own world record.
• Rohit Sharma now has 352+ ODI sixes, the most in history.
• 681 total runs the highest aggregate in an India-South Africa ODI.
• Marco Jansen’s 26-ball fifty fastest by a South African in India.
• India hit 16 sixes joint-most in any ODI innings in 2025.
• First instance in ODI history of batting positions 4–8 all scoring 35+ runs (South Africa).

Player Performances – Who Stood Out?

Virat Kohli (10/10): Simply majestic. Proved yet again why he is the greatest ODI batsman ever.

Harshit Rana (9/10): Dream debut. 3/69 with two wickets in the first over. Announcement of a new star.

Kuldeep Yadav (9/10): 4/68 on a flat pitch. Wrist-spin remains South Africa’s kryptonite.

Corbin Bosch (8.5/10): Debut fifty, 2/66, and almost pulled off a miracle.

Marco Jansen (8/10): Terrifying with bat and ball. A genuine superstar.

Matthew Breetzke (7.5/10): Anchored the chase beautifully.

What This Result Means for the Series

India has drawn first blood, but South Africa showed incredible fighting spirit and depth. With two ODIs left (Raipur on Dec 3, Visakhapatnam on Dec 6) followed by five T20Is, this tour is far from over. The Proteas will take massive confidence from pushing India all the way despite the early collapse, while India will be relieved to get the big names firing again.

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Final Words!

The South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team match scorecard from Ranchi on November 30, 2025, will be remembered for years to come as a run-fest, records galore, a sensational chase, and a finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Virat Kohli reminded the world he is still the Chase Master, Harshit Rana announced himself on the big stage, and South Africa proved they are no longer pushovers in Indian conditions. If the remaining matches are half as good as this one, we are in for an absolute treat.