Virat Kohli’s match-winning innings of 112 in the first ODI against South Africa is our Play of the Day.

India beat South Africa by six wickets at Kingsmead on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the six-game series. The fans at the ground certainly got their money’s worth, as both captains proceeded to put on a show.

Faf du Plessis held the South African innings together at a time of crisis. He played positively over the course of his knock, surpassing 100 in 101 balls and finishing with a score of 120.

The Proteas finished on 269 thanks to the efforts of Du Plessis and a couple of others down the order. If not for Du Plessis’ show of determination, the Proteas may well have been bowled out for 220 or less.

India came into this game with a point to prove. Their skipper appeared to be on a mission from the moment he arrived at the crease.

And with India and Kohli in that kind of mood, one got the feeling that 269 was never going to be enough.

REPORT: Kohli powers India to victory

Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on 189 runs for the third wicket to set the platform for an emphatic victory. The Proteas had the chance to dismiss Kohli earlier in his innings, but the chance went begging when Du Plessis put a catch down at slip.

It was a difficult chance, but it was still a chance. Kohli went on to score 112 runs off just 119 balls.

Du Plessis deserves plaudits for fighting South Africa back into the contest. On another day, that effort may have been enough to earn his side the win.

On this occasion, however, Du Plessis was upstaged by Kohli. The India captain seized control of the game during the middle overs of the visitors’ innings. The Proteas failed to stop that onslaught, and the game was well and truly over as a contest – India required eight more runs for victory – when Kohli was eventually dismissed.

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