Virat Kohli. Photo: Collected

RANCHI, India, Nov 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Star batsman Virat Kohli struck an 
attacking 135 to power India to 349-8 against South Africa in the first of 
three one-day internationals on Sunday.

Kohli's 120-ball knock and his 136-run stand for the second wicket with 
fellow stalwart Rohit Sharma (57) steered India to a challenging total in 
Ranchi.

The 37-year-old struck a boundary off Marco Jansen to raise his 52nd ODI 
century and lifted his bat to a raucous home crowd.

An Indian fan breached security and raced to the pitch to touch Kohli's feet 
before he was dragged away.

Kohli has the most ODI hundreds, with Indian great Sachin Tendulkar second 
with 49.

He and 38-year-old Rohit returned to the ODI team after retiring from T20 and 
Test cricket.

Their presence boosted India, led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured 
Shubman Gill, after a 2-0 Test whitewash against South Africa.

Rohit lost fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 18 but Kohli walked in to 
a huge roar from a 38,000-strong capacity crowd.

They pair steadied the innings and then took on the bowlers before Rohit was 
trapped lbw by Jansen.

He hit five fours and three sixes in his 51-ball knock.

India lost a couple more wickets but Kohli stood firm, even though South 
Africa put the brakes on the scoring in the middle overs.

Kohli switched gears soon after reaching his first hundred since February and 
hit off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for two fours and two sixes in a 21-run 
39th over.

He finally fell to Nandre Burger, caught by Ryan Rickelton, after hitting 11 
fours and seven sixes.

Rahul kept up the attack with 60 off 56 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja made 32 
off 20.

Aiden Markram is standing in as captain after Temba Bavuma was rested in the 
opener.