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Rohit Sharma's 133* Drives India to 4-0 Sweep Over South Africa

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 4:59 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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India vs South Africa ODI Series: Rohit Sharma’s Record‑Chasing Performance at Ranchi

The India‑South Africa ODI saga that unfolded in the Indian state of Jharkhand has become a defining moment for the “Desi” batsman Rohit Sharma. The series, which stretched over five games, saw India clinch a comprehensive 4‑0 victory, but it was the first encounter at Ranchi that captured headlines, as Rohit stroked a spectacular century and edged closer to the top of India’s ODI century list.

1. Series Snapshot

The five‑match ODI series kicked off on 23 June 2023 in Ranchi, followed by games at Dhanbad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati. India entered the series on a winning streak, having just wrapped up a home bilateral series against Bangladesh. South Africa, on the other hand, was battling a slump and needed the points to secure a spot in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier.

India’s lineup featured the classic blend of experience and youth: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hardik Pandya, and the all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja. South Africa counter‑balanced with Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, and the explosive opener Heinrich Klaasen. The series witnessed several tense moments, but India’s depth and home‑ground advantage proved decisive.

2. The Ranchi Openers: A 70‑Run Margin

In the opening match at Ranchi, India posted a formidable 321/5 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma was the linchpin, smashing 133 not out off 106 balls, including 12 fours and 8 sixes. The innings was a masterclass in shot‑selection, with an especially memorable boundary on the 38th ball that left the crowd roaring.

Rohit’s century propelled him to 11 ODI centuries—one short of the all‑time Indian record held by the legendary Virat Kohli (at the time, Kohli had 12). While the record remains a moving target (Kohli’s tally has since been surpassed), Rohit’s run marked a pivotal step toward becoming India’s most prolific ODI century scorer.

Supporting him, Shikhar Dhawan contributed 74, while Yashasvi Jaiswal added a quick 42 off 30. Hardik Pandya smashed 55 off 34 balls, providing the fireworks in the last overs. Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers—Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar—managed to take 7 wickets, stifling the South African batsmen.

South Africa’s chase was spirited yet flawed. Quinton de Kock top‑scored with 55, but the innings faltered against India’s disciplined fielding and strategic bowling changes. The final scoreboard read 251/7, and India won by 70 runs—a decisive cushion.

3. Rohit Sharma’s Record‑Chasing Momentum

Rohit’s 133* at Ranchi was the most crucial of the series for the Indian captain. It set the tone for a franchise of centuries that would follow: a maiden half‑century in the second ODI (79), a double‑digit contribution in the third (54), and a steady knock in the fourth (65). By the final game, Rohit had amassed 5,000 ODI runs and was approaching 15 centuries.

The media buzzed over whether Rohit would eclipse Kohli’s record. In an interview, Rohit remained humble: “We’re playing for the team. The individual record is just a by‑product.” Yet, the statistical trail told a different story: India’s leading run‑scorer of all time, with 3,400 runs in 25 ODIs against South Africa, stood at 1,200 runs in the Ranchi innings alone.

In the second match at Dhanbad, Rohit struck 74, adding a quickfire 12 runs in the 49th over to seal a 5‑run win. The third game at Delhi saw him go 55 off 40, keeping India’s lead in the series intact. The fourth ODI at Kolkata was a tight contest, but Rohit’s 65 off 58 kept India ahead. The final game at Guwahati saw India clinch the series with a 4‑0 victory, sealing Rohit’s 12th ODI century.

4. Team Dynamics and Key Takeaways

While Rohit’s century was the headline grabber, India’s success was rooted in a balanced side. Hardik Pandya’s all‑round contributions—62 runs, 3 wickets, and a match‑winning catch—were vital. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling economy (4.50 runs per over) stifled South Africa’s attempts, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s disciplined line and length broke several partnerships.

On the South African side, Quinton de Kock’s consistency (average 46.5) was evident, but he could not offset India’s superior batting depth. The bowlers struggled to break through India’s top order, and the Indian fielders—particularly on the boundary—saved several runs.

The series also highlighted India’s strategic use of power‑plays. In the Ranchi match, the opening over was 3 wickets down, yet India rebounded with a 12‑over stretch of 50 runs, showcasing how well‑timed bowling changes can shift momentum.

5. Future Implications

The outcome has implications beyond the series. India’s clean sweep improves their world ranking and sets a positive trajectory for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. For South Africa, the series will be a learning experience as they regroup and refine their batting strategy.

For Rohit Sharma, the Ranchi innings will always be remembered as a defining moment. His relentless drive for centuries signals a new chapter in India’s batting history, potentially paving the way for him to become the all‑time leading ODI century scorer for India.

6. Final Thoughts

The India‑South Africa ODI series, punctuated by Rohit Sharma’s record‑seeking performance at Ranchi, was a celebration of Indian batting prowess, strategic fielding, and balanced team composition. The series reinforced India’s home‑ground dominance, while Rohit’s 133* etched his name firmly among the greats of Indian cricket. Whether he eventually surpasses Kohli’s record remains to be seen, but as of the Ranchi match, Rohit Sharma was undeniably on the cusp of rewriting history.