Watch: Virat Kohli smashes splendid six Off Ottneil Baartman during IND vs SA 1st ODI in Ranchi

Virat Kohli was back to ODI cricket in India after nearly 10 months as he featured in the opening game of the three-match series against South Africa at the JSCA Cricket Stadium in Ranchi. The veteran batter came into the middle early in the fourth over after Nandre Burger sent back Yashasvi Jaiswal to draw the first blood for the Proteas.

Kohli looked in an aggressive mood in the innings as he leaned forward to smash Nandre Burger over the mid-off region as the ball sailed over the ropes for a maximum. The following delivery was sliced behind the square on the on-side for another boundary, while Rohit Sharma gave him great support from the other end.

See Also: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal records massive six during IND vs SA 1st ODI in Ranchi

But the best shot of the afternoon from Kohli came against Ottneil Baartman. The right-handed batter made room and drove through the line with a sweet timing as the ball sailed over the ropes for another six. That was the sign of an inform batter in the middle.

Watch: Virat Kohli records attractive six off Ottneil Baartman during IND vs SA Ranchi ODI

Earlier in the game, KL Rahul, the stand-in captain of the Indian side, lost the toss and was put into bat first. The management decided to open with Jaiswal due to the injury of Shubman Gill, besides slotting Washington Sundar at number five. On the other hand, Rahul got his name at number six.

This was the 392nd international game featuring both Virat and Rohit, which is now the most by a pair for the Indian cricket team, as they went past 391 by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in the list. Due to Kohli and Rohit’s splendid starts, India scored 80/1 in the powerplay, which is their third-highest score against the Proteas in the powerplay ODIs.

India crossed the 100-run mark in less than 14 overs, which has set a great platform for the Blue Brigade to cross the 375-run mark in the innings. Kohli was on 43 runs unbeaten in just 40 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.