In the first ODI match against South Africa, Team India emerged victorious by 17 runs at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Jharkhand.
During the match, Team India stalwart Virat Kohli smashed 135 runs in 120 balls, including 11 boundaries and seven maximums.
Speaking about his knock, South Africa pacer Marco Jansen said that it becomes difficult to pick up the wickets of world-class batsmen such as Kohli.
“When you bowl to world-class players, it`s quite difficult to get them out. I always try to get a batter in his first 10 or 15 balls. That`s when they`re still getting used to the wicket,” he said.
“But once they`re in, and they get on a roll, it`s very difficult to stop them. Everyone here knows how to play, that`s why you go to plan B or C,” added the pacer.
The century also marked Kohli`s 52nd ton in the format`s history, which is the most by any batsman in ODIs.
Further speaking, Jansen was nothing short of praise for the Delhi-born cricketer and said that he is just batting longer and longer.
“It`s nice to watch him play. Growing up watching him on TV to actually bowling to him now, it`s annoying but it`s fun at the same time. He drives well, he pulls well, cuts well, plays with his pads well. I don`t think much has changed, he`s just batting longer and longer,” said the 25-year-old pacer.
Jansen, too, during South Africa`s innings, smashed 70 runs off just 39 balls. His knock included eight boundaries and three maximums.
Later, Team India`s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets and helped the “Men in Blue” cruise to victory.
Bowling 10 overs, he conceded 68 runs. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh bagged three and two wickets, respectively. Prasidh Krishna also chipped in by picking up one wicket. With this, the hosts have taken a lead by 1-0 in the three-match ODI series against the Proteas.
The second ODI match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on December 3 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.
(With PTI Inputs)
