In a gripping India vs South Africa ODI clash in Ranchi, former cricketer Mohammed Kaif delivered a strong verdict: without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India had no chance. His analysis came after the senior duo produced a commanding partnership that proved decisive in India’s narrow 17-run victory.
India vs South Africa: Kohli’s Century and Rohit’s Fifty Change the Game
Virat Kohli’s magnificent century and Rohit Sharma’s authoritative fifty formed the backbone of India’s innings. The veteran pair stitched together a superb 136-run stand off just 109 balls, rescuing India after the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Their aggressive batting yielded 80 runs in the powerplay, and by the time the partnership ended, India were strongly placed at 161/1 in the 21st over. The hosts eventually posted a challenging 349 runs in 50 overs, a total Mohmammed Kaif believes only Kohli and Rohit could have delivered.
Kaif’s Strong Message: “India Would Have Lost Without Them”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif emphasized that India’s victory directly depended on the seasoned duo.
He stated that if Rohit and Kohli had been dismissed early, the team might not have even crossed 200 runs, adding that the younger players would have struggled under pressure.
- “You will lose the match if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma get out… their runs were directly connected to this win,” Kaif said.
- “You brought youngsters, but they won’t even make 200. In the end, you had to go back to Kohli and Rohit to save you.”
India vs South Africa: Hosts Dominate Early with the Ball
India carried momentum into their bowling effort, dismantling South Africa’s top order early. The visitors were reduced to 11 for 3, staring at a heavy defeat.
But the fightback that followed turned the match into a tense thriller.
South Africa’s Counterattack Keeps Ranchi Crowd on Edge
Fifties from Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch, along with valuable cameos by Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi, kept South Africa alive deep into the chase.
Despite the shaky start, the Proteas steadily rebuilt and pushed the match down to the final phase before India successfully defended the target, winning by 17 runs.
Kaif: “Our Old Is Still Gold”
Kaif drew parallels between the Ranchi partnership and the one Kohli and Rohit shared in Sydney merely a month earlier. He said the senior pair once again performed the same rescue job, proving they remain indispensable to Indian cricket.
- “Our old is still gold. Kohli is 37, Rohit is 38 — their value was clear in this match,” Kaif remarked.
- “If they hadn’t scored, South Africa would have won this match very easily.”
The veteran batter also highlighted Kohli’s seven sixes and Rohit’s three, describing their partnership as the true difference-maker.
India vs South Africa: Focus Shifts to the Second ODI
India is now scheduled to play South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday, December 3, following a victory that boosted their spirit after a challenging series of tests.
The tournament promises to be another thrilling chapter in the continuing competition between India and South Africa. The Ranchi thriller, which demonstrates both weaknesses and strengths, will be the subject of the competition.