India vs South Africa 1st ODI Highlights: Virat Kohli hits 33rd ton as India crush South Africa by 6 wickets to take 1-0 lead

Victorious Indian captain, Virat Kohli says that the first game of a series is very important and the team wanted to bring the confidence from Johannesburg (the third Test where India won). Adds that when they restricted South Africa to 270, they realized that they are in with a chance. Feels sorry for Dhawan but nice for Rahane as he sealed the number 4 spot. Agrees that chasing is fun, as it suits his game style more. On his century celebration, he smiles and says that he had not scored a century in South Africa and to do that in the very first game means great. On his knee injury, he says that he felt pain in his groin as well and players need to be careful in long tours like these. Is proud of his bowling unit - Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah and the two spinners. Praises Faf du Plessis for his innings too. Is happy that they two young spinners were bravely flighting the ball, in spite of playing their first game in South Africa. Is even happier that both bowlers were setting their own fields, which indicates their confidence. On Rahane, he says that watching hims bat gave him confidence at the other end.

South African skipper, Faf du Plessis says that he went to the dressing room during the run chase not to HIDE, but because he wanted to check his finger. On his back, he says he is fine, not a worry. Blames the poor batting by his side for the loss. Praises India for their bowling but sternly tells that the Proteas were 60-70 runs short because India have a very good batting lineup. Is happy of the stands with Morris and Phehlukwayo but still, laments the batting effort in general. On the bowling, Faf says that he tried all that he could to try and pick up a wicket but Kohli was too good. Hopes that his side learns a thing or two from the Indian batting in this game.

FOUR! India go 1-0 up. In some style. Dominated South Africa at a venue where the Indians have not won a single ODI before tonight. A short ball around off, Dhoni swivels and pulls it through square leg. No one bothers to chase. Everyone wants this done and dusted with. Let us shake hands. VICTORY BY 6 WICKETS AND 27 BALLS TO SPARE!​ Kohli 112, Rahane 79

That ball has struck Dhoni on the thigh pad. They manage to come back for the second. Leg byes given by the umpire. IND 265/4 in 45 overs, need 5 runs to win

MS Dhoni walks out now, officially the finisher.

OUT! Kohli falls. After a valiant century. A short ball outside off, Kohli looks to pull but mistimes it miles in the air. Kagiso Rabada runs across to his left from fine leg and takes it comfortably. Kohli cannot take his team home but his side is nearly home. End of another magnificent innings. IND 262/4 in 44.3 overs, need 8 runs to win vs SA (269/8)

3 runs from Rabada's over. IND 260/3 in 44 overs

Hardik Pandya walks in at number 5 for the finishing duties.

OUT! No double-century stand, no 8-wicket win. South Africa have picked up a wicket more because Rahane has got bored of net practice. A length ball on middle, Rahane looks to go over the top but there is no timing on that. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards long on where Imran Tahir takes it calmly. What a partnership. Worth 189. Just 14 more needed.​ IND 256/3 in 42.4 overs, need 14 runs to win

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. The throw comes at the non-striker's end but Rabada is the last bit interested, standing in the middle of the pitch, apparently too bored to move a muscle. Quinton de Kock runs at the stumps at the keeper's end, shouts, 'KG! KG!' indicating him to go to the stumps but the look on the bowler's face says it all - What is the point? South Africa look demolished. IND 256/2 in 42 overs

FOUR! A net session is going on. A young fast bowler comes on to bowl, someone who has troubled Kohli in the Tests. And the Indian skipper treats him like a rookie. Just lofts a length ball over cover for a boundary. 250 UP FOR INDIA. Almost there...

FOUR! ODI 100 NUMBER 33! 67 short? Another brilliant knock. Gets there in style too, reaching out to a half volley and driving it through the covers. His reaction makes it seem that he wanted this badly - scoring a hundred in the first match of the series and setting the tone. He roars. And more often than not, when he roars, the opposition cows. IND 247/2 in 40.5 overs, need 23 runs to win vs SA (269/8)

FOUR! Aerial but safe from Kohli. Full and wide outside off, Kohli reaches out and slices it over point for a boundary! ​IND 241/2 in 40.2 overs

POWERPLAY 3 time. Does it matter? 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. This match is almost like 5 matches left in the series for SA.

FOUR! Easy peasy. Waits for the short ball, arches his back and guides it over the keeper to the third man fence. 15 from the over. IND 232/2 in 39 overs, need 38 runs to win vs SA (269/8)

SIX! THRASH! A length ball outside off, Rahane just swings it cleanly over long on! The stand is worth 160 from 160 balls!​ IND 227/2 in 38.5 overs

Rahane pushes it this through mid on for one. 150-run stand is up between Kohli and Rahane. 4 runs from the over.​ IND 217/2 in 38 overs, need 53 runs to win

FOUR! 24th ODI Fifty for Rahane! His fifth in succession! A short ball down the leg side, Rahane pulls it over square leg for a boundary! Terrific batting. Ajinkya Rahane hits his 24th ODI half-century off 60 balls. India 190/2, need 80 runs to win vs South Africa (269/8).

Some experimentation from Faf du Plessis. He gets on Aiden Markram on to bowl. Looks like an offie.

DRINKS BREAK. Another chase, the master presents a case. 269 is not a bad score on this track but the Indians are making it look like a stroll in the park. This is not the best bowling attack in the world but it is not an attack which can pick only 2 wickets, that too, in its home conditions. The bowling is looking ordinary and Faf du Plessis needs some inspiration to turn this around. As far as India are concerned, they would be pretty confident about this. Hardly broke a sweat.

Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane, No run. Another short ball outside off, Jinx lets it go.​ IND 178/2, need 92 runs to win.

Last throw of dice by Faf du Plessis. Morne Morkel has been brought back on.

SIX! Rahane joins the party. What a shot! Tossed up on middle, Rahane comes down the track and just casually flicks it over mid-wicket! Moves to 40 from 48 balls. 97 more needed from 113 balls now.​

5 runs from the over. IND 161/2 in 30 overs

There you go. When runs can come off your blade without any risk, why even attempt one? Punches this through the covers for a couple. IND 156/2 in 29 overs, need 114 runs to win vs SA (269/8)

Kohli pushes this down the ground to long on for one more and retains the strike. 119 more needed from 132 balls.​ 4 runs from the over. IND 151/2 in 28 overs

Excellent. Flicks this through mid-wicket, calls for two confidently, takes JP Duminy on who has to dive to his right to stop the ball and misfields. He then tries to get up and have a shy at the bowler's end but it is pretty wide. Faf du Plessis gets across to back up from cover and allows it through. There is a chance for the third but Rahane raises his hand up for a negative. 6 runs from the over. IND 147/2 in 27 overs

FIFTY for VIRAT KOHLI! IND 137/2 in 25.1 overs

Almost a wicket! Kohli taps it down and looks to run but the ball goes off the bottom edge which rolls behind. Virat looks back, sees that the ball is well past the stumps and now wants the run. But he is sent back. Quinton de Kock comes running in and kicks the ball at the stumps but Kohli is back in.​ IND 136/2 in 25 overs

FOUR! The wrong 'un goes wrong, lands down the leg side and Kohli just tucks it past short fine leg. The big Morkel is chasing it and well, he is never going to win a 100-metre race. IND 133/2 in 24 overs

FOUR! Too wide from Duminy and punished. Fuller in length, Kohli reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! IND 125/2 in 23 overs, need 145 runs to win vs SA (269/8)

Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. That brings up the 50-RUN STAND in 59 balls. Not much effort, nothing much happening, just milking going along.

Once again Rahane is down the track and he works it through mid on for a run. 3 runs from the over.​ IND 116/2 in 22 overs

FOUR! TAKE THAT! India are not letting any spinner struggle, let alone a part-time one. This is the first ball that Rahane is facing off Duminy and what does he do? Jumps down the track and smashes it straight back over the bowler for a boundary! 159 more needed from 178 balls. IND 111/2 in 20.2 overs

Interesting. JP Duminy to roll his arm over.​

FOUR! What a shot. A length ball outside off, Kohli punches this down the ground, seemingly for a single but Morne Morkel is too late to get around and that will be a boundary! 100 UP FOR INDIA, 169 more needed from 186 balls.​ IND 101/2 in 19 overs

FOUR! Far from ideal in any format of the game. Miles down the leg side, Kohli just puts his bat to it and the ball goes off the edgy portion to the fine leg fence. The stand is worth 30 from 38 balls. IND 97/2 in 18.3 overs

FOUR! Clean hitting. A length ball outside off, Rahane backs away to the leg side and lofts it over cover for a boundary!​ IND 92/2 in 18 overs

Super shot from Rahane. Full and straight, Jinx drives it straight back to where it came from, past the stumps at the other end. Morne Morkel chases it down from mid off and slides near the ropes to pull the ball back in. Rahane wants the third for that effort, is more than halfway down the track but is sent back. ​IND 86/2 in 17 overs, need 184 runs to win

Time for Drinks! India looking pretty comfortable at the moment. Chasing a required run rate of 5.4, they are going at 5 runs an over, without much fuss. Both wickets gone down have been due to poor cricket from the batsmen - Rohit just throwing it away without moving his feet while Dhawan, unfortunate to be run out by his skipper. The South African opening bowlers did threaten to pick a wicket or two but since the backup bowlers have come on, there has not been any potential danger.​

That looks very, very close. On a length outside off, coming in sharply, Virat walks down the track and misses his flick, getting hit pretty low on the pads. Phehlukwayo starts to shout but then bails out. Not quite sure why the Proteas did not go for the review. That looked pretty adjacent. Waiting for the Hawk-Eye. 6 runs from the over. IND 81/2 in 16 overs

Brilliant running. Virat pushes at this away from his body and gets it through the covers for another brace. The throw comes in to Morris again and this time he collects it but ouch, gets a blow on his thumb. That looks nasty. IND 75/2 in 15 overs, need 195 runs to win vs SA

Tahir bowls almost a yorker, Rahane pushes it towards long on for a run. Gets off the mark.​ IND 71/2 in 14 overs, need 199 runs to win to win SA

Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 4, replacing Shikhar Dhawan.

OUT! LBW shout, turned down. But South Africa still get a wicket! Superb fielding. A length ball outside off, Dhawan swings wildly across the line and misses, getting hit on the pads. Morris starts to appeal but then bails out, recognizing the inside edge. But then, out of nowhere, Virat Kohli is halfway down the pitch for the single. Poor Dhawan has no idea and is suddenly seeing his skipper haring towards him when the southpaw is busy searching for the ball. No option other than to sacrifice your wicket for the best batsman in your team. Dhawan starts to run but gives up halfway. Because Aiden Markram has swooped in on that ball and already had a shy at the bowler's end. Bang. Hits. Dhawan is not impressed with Kohli who is looking angrily at him. Dhawan gestures to him about what was the necessity for that run and then walks off angrily. Absolute waste of a wicket and the 34-run stand has been broken. India need 203 runs from 226 balls. IND 67/2 in 12.2 overs

FOUR! Lovely shot indeed! Short and outside off, Dhawan actually sits on a knee and cuts it between point and short third man for a boundary! IND 66/1 in 12 overs

Early introduction of spin. Normally Faf du Plessis likes to bring this guy a little bit later than this. Here is Imran Tahir.

FOUR! Nicely done! A short ball outside off, Dhawan waits for the ball to come and deftly cuts it over the keeper and vacant slip region to the third man fence! Indifferent start from Chris Morris - 10 from his opening over. Dhawan has moved to 30 from 25 balls with 5 fours.​ IND 59/1 in 11 overs

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

FOUR! BRILLIANT! That is a wonderful shot. Beautifully controlled. Full and outside off, Kohli comes forward and drives it on the up through mid-off and to the fence down the ground! The stand is worth 13 from 13 balls. IND 46/1 in 9 overs

FOUR! Not the most pleasing of shots but India will not mind. A sharp short ball, around leg and outside, Dhawan jumps and looks to tuck it away and just about gets enough bat on it to make the ball go wide of Quinton de Kock towards fine leg. 228 more needed from 253 balls. Dhawan moves to 20 from 15 balls and this is his fourth boundary. IND 42/1 in 8 overs vs SA (269/8)

FOUR! Super shot. Full on middle, Dhawan pushes this down the ground and beats mid on comfortably! IND 37/1 in 7 overs

Virat Kohli walks in now, at number 3, replacing Rohit.

OUT! There comes the first breakthrough! Morne provides it. A nothing shot from Rohit. The ball is on a length outside off and the batsman just looks to go over the top without bothering to move his feet. Big mistake. He has survived a couple of close calls so far, with the edges missing the stumps. But third time he is not so lucky. The ball goes off the leading edge and is miles in the air. Quinton de Kock - my word - that is some catch. Calls clearly and loudly - and runs towards point and takes a very good catch. Still a decent start from India. 237 more needed from 261 balls.. IND 33/1 in 6.3 overs, need 237 runs to win

FOUR! Up and over! This guy is so pleasing to watch if he gets going. Full and on middle, Sharma nonchalantly lofts it over mid on for another boundary. IND 31/0 in 6 overs, need 239 runs to win

FOUR! Dhawan gets some lucky runs here. Another short ball on the body of the batsman. Dhawan rocks back and pulls it along the ground and into the backward square leg fence.​ IND 15/0, need 255 runs to win.

SIX! Rohit plays his natural in Durban. Terrific hit! A short ball outside off, Sharma swivels and deposits this high and handsome over square leg!​ IND 11/0 need 259 to win.

Star batsman AB de Villiers, who missed the ongoing ODI match due to injury, heaps praise on Faf du Plessis after he scores a remarkable 120-run knock in Durban.

Kagiso Rabada to bowl with the second new ball.

One run from the over. IND 1/0, need 269 runs to win. Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma, No run. Oohh... full on middle, Rohit looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover. Good start from Morne.

Welcome to the chase. A dark rain cloud is awaiting us. Hopefully, it does not burst. Out come the Indian openers - Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Morne Morkel to start off against Rohit with the first new ball. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run. Ends the over brilliantly! Just five from the last over and a single to end it. A full toss on middle, Phehlukwayo hits it down to long on for a run. South Africa 269/8, give India 270-run target to win the first ODI at Kingsmead, Durban. 

WICKET! Rabada Run Out for 1 run. A wide also! A full ball way outside off, Rabada goes for the big hit but misses. Andile Phehlukwayo at the other end starts off for a run. Dhoni underarms a throw but misses at the striker, Kumar collects it and whips the bails off at the non-striker's end to find Kagiso short.​ SA 268/8 in 49.5 overs.

Kagiso Rabada walks out to the middle.

WICKET! End of magnificent innings by captain Faf du Plessis. Bhuvneshwar removes Du Plessis for 120 runs.​ Faf du Plessis holes out! He will be disappointed though he could not put that away. He gets a full toss on off, he hits it straight down the throat of Pandya at long off who does not drop may. The South African skipper walks off to a standing ovation. Yes, India did miss a review against him but it still has been a breathtaking knock. Nevertheless, a dot and a wicket to begin with for Kumar.​ SA 264/7 in 49.2 overs.

FOUR! Edged but runs. Up and over! 16 runs from the over! Unluck is Bumrah here. He bowls a slower ball outside off, Phehlukwayo tries to go over the leg side but gets an outside edge over the keeper for a boundary. 27 from the last two over. 28 looks possible now.​ SA 264/6 with one over remaining.

SIX! There's no stopping! What a shot! He is seeing the ball like a football. He comes down the track and launches it over mid-wicket for a maximum.​ SA 257/6 in 48.3 overs.

SIX! Du Plessis strikes it fabulously to mid-wicket. Faf has picked the bones out of that one! He comes down the track, picks the slower ball and sends it sailing over the mid-wicket fence.​ SA 246/6 in 47.4 overs.

Hundred comes up for Du Plessis. The South African skipper completes his ninth ODI ton off 101 balls. Jasprit Bumrah to Faf du Plessis, 1 run. Fantastic captain's knock. He flicks it towards square leg for a run. He jumps and pumps his fist in joy as he gets to the other end. takes his helmet off and raises his bat to the crowd and his dressing room. South Africa will now hope for him to stay till the end. He slammed 11 boundaries in his composed knock. SA 234/6 in 46.2 overs.

Faf du Plessis is getting some stretching done and has is also having a little water. He has had back problems in the past and that maybe troubling him here.

Jasprit Bumrah to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run. A low full toss outside off, driven back towards mid off to keep strike. ​SA 223/6 in 45 overs. Du Plessis inches close to an ODI century.

Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack.

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta much happy to see wrist spinners doing well in Durban.

Andile Phehlukwayo makes his way to the middle.

WICKET! End of 74-run partnership as Kuldeep Yadav removes Chris Morris for 37 runs. Kuldeep provides the much-needed breakthrough for India. Not the best of deliveries he has bowled but he won't mind. He bowls a dipping full toss outside off, Morris goes for the sweep but is beaten as the ball sneaks beneath the bat, bounces and then hits the off pole. The 74-run stand has been broken and an excellent innings from Morris comes to an end at the right time for India. They will now look to restrict the hosts under 250. SA 208/6 in 40.4 overs.

SIX! Morris makes it big this time. WHAT A SHOT! WOW! A tossed up delivery outside off, a little too full. Morris goes inside out and lofts it over the cover boundary for a biggie.​ SA 208/5 in 40.3 overs.

Powerplay 3 has been signaled! 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring now.

FOUR! Du Plessis smashes it at deep mid-wicket, takes South Africa to 200.

India TV Sports Editor Samip Rajguru, while quoting former India opener Virender Sehwag, says India batting second will be tough in Kingsmead.

Here's one for the unbeaten 54-run partnership for the sixth-wicket.

​Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack.

FOUR! DU Plessis plays it in the gap. A full toss and put away! Outside off, du Plessis times it through covers and the ball races away.​ SA 174/5 in 36 overs.

India lose a review! Jasprit Bumrah to Chris Morris, NOT OUT! India lose a review, a poor one to be honest. Bumrah bowls it down the leg side, Morris goes for the flick but he seems to have missed it. Virat Kohli from covers comes running in with an appeal. He is pretty sure Morris has edged it but gets no support from the rest. After having a word with vice captain Rohit he reviews. They go upstairs and Snicko shows nothing.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back into the attack.

FOUR! Morris pulls that over mid-wicket for four. Just a short arm jab! That should break the shackles! Shorter in length, not very short. Morris picks the length early and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.​ SA 156/5 in 34 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah to Faf du Plessis, 1 run. Good running! A length ball around off, du Plessis plays it with soft hands towards point for a quick run.​ 150 up for South Africa!

Time for drinks!

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar is full of praises for Indian bowling attack, especially the wrist spinners.

Jasprit Bumrah comes back to bowl.

Hardik Pandya to Faf du Plessis, 1 run. Taps this length delivery on off, du Plessis pats it in front of point and will retain strike.​ Three runs from the 31st over by Pandya. SA 141/5 with Du Plessis leading at 57 (not out).

Hardik Pandya is back into the attack.

Chris Morris walks to the middle. He has to support his captain here.

WICKET! Virat Kohli takes a stellar catch and David Miller departs for  7 runs. Virat has taken it cleanly! Half the side back in the hut for South Africa! Kuldeep once again tosses it up on off, Miller tries to drive but goes hard at it. He hits it uppishly towards Kohli at covers. The Indian skipper dives forward and he seems to have taken it inches above the ground. Miller though feels it has bounced as he stands his ground. The umpires come together and decide to take it upstairs. The soft signals is out and it is time for the replays which show Virat has his hands under the ball it is clean as a whistle. The dangerous Miller is given his marching orders and South Africa's woes deepen. SA 134/5 in 27.5.

FIFTY! Du Plessis completes his 30th half-century off 54 balls. SA 131/4 in 27.1 overs. Faf punches this short ball through covers for a brace to get to that milestone. He acknowledges the applauds from the crowd but he still has a long way to go.​

FOUR! Off the mark in style! Jadhav tosses it up, Miller goes down on one knee and sweeps it through mid-wicket. There is no man back thre and a boundary results.

David Miller strides out to the middle.

WICKET! Kuldeep Yadav bowls JP Duminy out for 12 runs. TIMBER! Kuldeep is up and running in celebration as he gets his first. What a delivery that! He tosses it up on middle, it is the googly. It turns back in a touch also stays low. Duminy fails to pick it and by the time he realizes he is too late. He misses the ball completely and it hits the middle of middle. Another one bites the dust for South Africa and they are in a spot of bother here.​ SA 122/4 in 25.5 overs.

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle believes India shouldn't have to bowl Kedar Jadhav so early as Hardik Pandya has to deliver a better second spell.

Meanwhile, this is how captain Virat Kohli hurt himself, getting an injury scare during the first ODI between India and South Africa at the Kingsmead in Durban. During the second ball of the seventh over of South Africa's innings, Kohli's knee got stuck into the dampish outfield while fielding at mid-off. (Read full story)

JP Duminy walks in at no. 5.

WICKET! Chahal claims his second wicket in Markram (9). The tight bowling from the Indian spinners pays dividends. Chahal tosses it up on leg stump, seeing the flight Markram uses his feet. He did not get to the pitch of the ball but still goes ahead with the shot. HE tries to flick but it goes off the inner half towards Pandya at short mid-wicket who takes a sharp catch. Markram bags a failure and he walks back dejected. The Indians are delighted as they know they are on top here.​

Yuzvendra Chahal to JP Duminy, no run. Comes down the track and mistimes it towards mid-wicket.​ 20 overs gone, SA are 99/2 with Du Plessis (37*) leading by example.

Big moment here! This time an appeal for a run out has gone upstairs. Faf is the man in question at the striker's end. The Indians are quite confident this time. NOT OUT! The dive has saved Faf! Chahal tosses it up on off, Markram defends it towards covers and he wants a run. Faf first obliges but then stops. In the end he goes for it. The fielder there fires a poor throw to the keeper who dislodges the bails and appeals. The umpire goes upstairs and replays show that the dive has saved Faf.

A stumping appeal against Markram! They go upstairs very late. Dhoni though does not look confident but Rahane wants it to be referred. Kuldeep Yadav to Aiden Markram, no run. NOT OUT! Markram never lifted his boot. Another wrong 'un outside off, it turns away, completely foxing Markram who is not picking Yadav here. He tries to defend but is beaten. Dhoni is quick to take the bails off and puts in a stifled appeal. Rahane puts in an extended one and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that Markram never lifted his feet.​

Aiden Markram walks out to the middle.

WICKET! De Kock departs as Chahal traps him LBW for 34 runs. Chahal strikes! A timely wicket for India as this partnership was starting to flourish. Yuzvendra floats it up on middle, it turns back in quite appreciably. De Kock tries to flick but misses and is hit on the front pad. The Indians put out an confident appeal and the umpire agrees with them. De Kock too strats walking back without even thinking of a review. He should have there as it looked like it was missing the leg stump. Nevertheless, the Indians are ecstatic as the dangerous de Kock walks back. Also, Hawk Eye agrees with me and it shows to be missing the leg stump. SA 83/2 in 15 overs.

Remember the appeal in the last over of Chahal against Faf? Had India reviewed it would have been OUT as Hawk Eye shows three reds. To the naked eye, it looked like it was missing leg but Hawk Eye shows it to be hitting.

FOUR! Difficult for Dhoni but he should have stopped that! A short ball outside off, Faf dances down the track and tries to go big, he gets an inside edge which bounces just before the keeper who lets it through his legs and down to the third man fence.

Meanwhile, cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle questions Virat Kohli's decision to play Ajinkya Rahane at No 4. "I must admit to being a bit confused by Rahane at No 4. He is a fine player but was only recently deemed unsuitable for no 4 and designated as the reserve opener. But now, India must stay with him," he says.

Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock, no run. Length this time and closer to the off pole. De Kock defends it.​ SA 59/1 in 12 overs.

Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now 4 fielders can be placed outside the circle. Also, spin into the attack. Yuzvendra Chahal is brought on.

FOUR! De Kock drives it well in the gap. The boundaries are starting to flow here is his 4th in the last 5 balls. Pandya bowls a half-volley outside off, de Kock drives it through extra cover for a boundary.​

FOUR! Make that three in a row! Shortish outside off, de Plessis goes for the cut but it takes the outside edge through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary. Poor by Kohli, he should be having a slip for the new batsman. Three consecutive overs by Du Plessis lights up Durban. 12 runs in the ninth over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. SA 43/1 in 9 overs.

Faf du Plessis walks out at no. 3.

WICKET! Bumrah gets the breakthrough as Amla departs for 16 runs. SA 30/1 in 7.3 overs. Amla has been given out LBW but he has been asked to wait as the umpire wants to check for a no ball. It is a legal delivery! Bumrah draws first blood. He goes wide of the crease and bowls it on off, it shapes back in a touch. Amla tries to drive with not a lot of foot movement. He misses and the ball hits him on the pads. Bumrah makes a loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Amla straightaway starts walking back as he knows he is a goner. The umpires though ask him to wait as they want to check for the no ball. After a few replays, the third umpire rules it in favour of the bowler. An early wicket for India and it is the big one of Amla. Just the start they wanted.

For precautionary measures, Virat Kohli signaled that he is going off after this over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Quinton de Kock, 1 run. Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single.​ After 7 overs, SA are 29/0.

Meanwhile, former India batsman Aakash Chopra opines the Kingsmead is a kind of pitch (while batting first) that brings a batsman back in form. 

FOUR! Amla stretches some muscles. On the up! Not such a bad delivery by the bowler. Just ahead of a length outside off, Amla opens the face of his bat and hits it on the up through cover-point for a boundary.​ SA 22/0 in 5.1 overs.

FOUR! De Kock in a mood to hit Bumrah well down the boundary ropes. Slower ball and de Kock picks it. An off pace delivery on the shorter side, also offers width outside off. De Kock cuts it through cover-point to end the over with a boundary.​ SA 17/0 in 4 overs.

Fans hail De Kock after he hits Jasprit Bumrah for a four.

FOUR! Straight down the ground. TOP SHOT! A similar shot he played on the last ball but this time de Kock drives it straight back past the bowler and it races away. No need to run for those. First boundary of the day.​ SA 7/0 in 1.4 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla, No run. Once again hits the length outside off, Amla keeps it out stoutly. After the first over, SA are 3/0 vs IND in the first ODI at Kingsmead. 

We are all set the action to begin. The Indian team are seen in a huddle and now they make their way out to the middle. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla will open the batting. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the bowling for India. He has two slips in place. 

After the overnight rain, it's turned out to be a wonderful day in Durban.

South Africa Playing XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis (C), Aiden Markram, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

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India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

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After the Test series, we now turn our attention to the limited-over format. A format in which India will probably back themselves to get the better of South Africa. Also, they will be heading into the game with a lot of confidence and they would look to carry forward the momentum they gained after the victory in the last Test.

"We have got such a balance in our side that we can bowl the opposition side. We are a side which chases well. We will have crowd support behind us as well. The mood in the change room is exactly the same. There is a positive energy in the change room. It has been a wonderful last few days for us. We will certainly start more confident in the ODI series compared to the Tests," India captain Virat Kohli says after the toss.

"Aiden Markram comes in. He will be batting at number 4," confirms South Africa skipper Du Plessis, adding that the rest of the team is their usual ODI team.

South Africa win the toss and opt to bat first against India in the first ODI in Durban.

However, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) says conditions looking perfect ahead of the 1st ODI.

The weather forecast suggested that the rain may play spoilsport in the first ODI. On Wednesday, the pitch bore a brownish look ahead of the opening ODI, in keeping with the rainfall Durban has received of late. Showers are forecast for Thursday’s game as well. (Read full story)

Ahead of the ODI, Team India practices under watchful eyes.

Going into the limited-over cricket, the visitors will be bolstered by the arrival experienced campaigners, especially former skipper MS Dhoni, who seems to be able to infuse new confidence into the side with just his presence. “In ODI cricket, Kohli also have MS Dhoni, who is always there to point out his flaws unlike in Test cricket. You will see Dhoni giving suggestions to Kohli, you will see him set the field... this is definitely a benefit,” Sehwag commented. (Read full story)

Meanwhile, according to former India opener Virender Sehwag, middle-order batsman Manish Pandey should get more changes ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup. "It will be better if you give more chances to Pandey before the 2019 World Cup. Manish Pandey is a good player and should be given more chances,” he added. (Read full story)

India, on the other hand, will be relying on optimal selection to get this six-match series off to a good start. With the return of Kohli after missing the ODIs/T20Is series against Sri Lanka in December, there is only one middle-order spot to be decided. Shreyas Iyer gave a good account of himself, scoring two half-centuries in three matches against Sri Lanka, and is a front-runner for the job. But experience could be of greater value herein, with Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey also in the running.

South Africa's star batsman AB de Villiers is set to miss out the first three ODIs due to an injured right index finger (sustained during the third Test). In his absence, Aiden Markram will get another opportunity in the middle-order, wherein he had scored 66 on ODI debut against Bangladesh at East London (October 2017).

After losing the Test series 2-1, including a consolatory win in the final Test, a resurgent India will aim for their first bilateral ODI series win in South Africa when they take on the hosts in a six-match rubber, starting Thursday in Durban. During the series, India will also look to kick off their preparations for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Hello and welcome to our Live Blog of the first ODI between India and South Africa from Kingsmead, Durban. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates.