Ranchiwon Player of the Match for his outstanding 135 off just 120 balls against South Africa in Sunday, November 30's first ODI in Ranchi, which helped the Men in Blue take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Despite being 11/3 at the beginning of their innings, South Africa put up a valiant fight in the run chase, with Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch leading the way. Eventually, 349 proved to be sufficient, and Kohli's century came in a winning cause.
This was Kohli's 44th Player of the Match in the ODIs, which ranks third, and his 70th in international cricket, which ranks second, slightly behind. However, the Player of the Match award on Sunday was Kohli's 32nd at home at the highest level, which is the most for any cricketer as he surpassed the likes of Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis, both tied on 31. In ODIs, however, Tendulkar is still a bit ahead of Kohli, with 23 Player of the Match awards at home, with the latter winning his 20th.
This was Kohli's 44th Player of the Match in the ODIs, which ranks third, and his 70th in international cricket, which ranks second, slightly behind. However, the Player of the Match award on Sunday was Kohli's 32nd at home at the highest level, which is the most for any cricketer as he surpassed the likes of Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis, both tied on 31. In ODIs, however, Tendulkar is still a bit ahead of Kohli, with 23 Player of the Match awards at home, with the latter winning his 20th.32. In 226 games, Virat Kohli (India)
31. In 234 games, Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
31. In 258 games, Sachin Tendulkar (India)
25-Australian Ricky Ponting, in 249 games
25 in 217 games (Bangladesh)
In men's ODIs, the most Player of the Match awards (at home)23. In 164 games, Sachin Tendulkar (India)
20 - Virat Kohli (Indien), in 125 Spielen
15. In 142 games, Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
15. In 153 games, Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Kohli looked in sublime touch from the outset on Sunday, looking to take the bowlers on, putting the fielders under pressure and clearing the boundary with ease. In his 120-ball knock, Kohli hit 11 fours and seven sixes, with help from and, to raise India's score to nearly 350, which was ultimately sufficient.
With the exception of that 11-over stretch when Jansen and Bosch threatened to upset the hosts' bowling plans, Harshit Rana was outstanding with the ball, taking three and four wickets, respectively, to guarantee that India took wickets on a regular basis. India won a thrilling match after Bosch was removed in the last over, and both teams set themselves up well for the next two matches.