New Delhi: India skipper KL Rahul hailed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for making the opposition “look silly” with their match-defining performances in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. Kohli’s majestic 135 off 120 balls—his 52nd ODI century—along with Rohit’s composed 57 helped India secure a tense 17-run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“Watching Rohit and Kohli bat like that is always fun. They’ve made oppositions look silly and shown why they are who they are,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation. “I’ve seen this for a long time, but it’s even more enjoyable when you’re sharing the dressing room with them.”
Despite India’s strong batting display, Rahul admitted feeling nervous during the final overs as South Africa kept the contest alive.
“I’d be lying if I said there were no butterflies. We’re playing ODI cricket after a while and expectations are always there. But we kept taking wickets, and the bowlers stuck to their plans,” he said.
Rahul, who batted at No. 6, said the role has been a new and valuable learning experience. “Batting at No. 6 is okay; the job is to do what the team needs. It’s the role I’ve had for the last few series and it’s helping my personal development.”
He praised young pacer Harshit Rana and spinner Kuldeep Yadav for holding their nerve in a high-scoring contest. “Harshit has great potential. He’s tall, bowls fast and getting those early wickets is what we expect from him. Kuldeep has been doing this job consistently—he’s key for us.”
Kuldeep, who claimed four wickets, said he relied on variations to unsettle the South African batters. “I was mixing up my deliveries to keep them guessing,” the left-arm spinner said.
India will look to build on this momentum as the series progresses.
