Kohli leads India India win by 6 wickets

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane added 189 runs for the third wicket.

A masterful century by Indian captain Virat Kohli helped India easily overcome the Proteas by 6 wickets in the first ODI played at Kingsmead in Durban.

In the process, the visitors ended South Africa’s record run of 17 consecutive homes wins in 50 over cricket, a feat achieved by no other nation

After the Proteas had posted 269/8 in their allotted 50 overs, Kohli was soon at the wicket after Morne Morkel snared the wicket of dangerous opener, Rohit Sharma for 20 in the sixth over, leaving India at 33/1.

Although the Indian captain must take some blame in running out Shikhar Dhawan (35) to leave India at 67/2, he then found an able partner in Ajinkya Rahane.

Together, the pair first consolidated and then easily manipulated the Proteas bowler around Kingsmead as they reduced the target by happily taking singles together with the occasional boundary.

Kohli went to his 33rd ODI hundred off just 104 balls in the 41st over. He has now scored an ODI century in each of the countries he has played in.

Rahane too, played his part, eventually falling for 79, a victim of Andile Phehlukwayo with the pair having put on 189 for the third wicket.

Kohli was then dropped by substitute fielder Khaya Zondo in the same over, and eventually fell two overs later, caught by Rabada off Phehlukwayo for 112 off 119 balls (10 fours).

It was a case of too little too late for the Proteas with MS Dhoni hitting the winning runs in the 46th over for a comprehensive win for the visitors.