Captain Kohli leads India to opening win

Captain Virat Kohli struck a stylish century to lead India to a comfortable six-wicket victory over South Africa in the first ODI Thursday and end the host's 17-match winning streak on home soil. India amassed 270-4 to reach their target with 27 balls to spare at Kingsmead after South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who won the toss, scored 120 of his side’s 269-8. A record 189–run third-wicket partnership between Kohli, who made 112, and Ajinkya Rahane (79) set up India's victory at the start of the six-match series. Kohli reached his 33rd ODI ton off 105 balls while Rahane’s flamboyant knock came off 86 balls.

He is at is again .. The Greatest chaser the game has ever seen .. #Fact #SAvIND @imVkohli

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 1, 2018

Their partnership was the highest for the third wicket in an ODI at the Durban venue, beating a two decade-old mark held by Pakistan, and ensured India eased to victory with wickets and overs to spare. Du Plessis carried his side as his team mates were strangled by India’s wrist spinners, slumping to 134-5 with Kuldeep Yadav the pick of the bunch as he finished with figure of 3-34 in an economical 10-over spell. Together with Chris Morris (37), Du Plessis piled on late runs to take South Africa to a better than expected total, and hand a sell-out crowd hope but still significantly short of a defendable target. India have won eight of their previous nine ODIs chasing down a target.

Superb from the South African captain: Faf du Plessis gets his 9th ODI hundred SA 234/6 https://t.co/P7qzyvv9D9 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/CXBZRnaVqK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 1, 2018

The second game of the series is at Centurion in Pretoria Sunday. South Africa top the International Cricket Council’s ODI team ranking with India second.BRIEF SCOREIndia 270/4 in 45.3 overs (Kohli 112, Rahane 79) beat South Africa 269/8 (Du Plessis 120, Kuldeep 3/34) by six wickets