In a high-scoring thriller at Ranchi, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav produced a moment of tactical brilliance, dismissing the devastating Marco Jansen with a delivery so seemingly poor it turned out to be match-winning. The first One Day International between India and South Africa on Sunday, November 30, 2025, witnessed a colossal batting effort from the visitors, spearheaded by the towering all-rounder. However, Kuldeep's perseverance and a crucial strategic shift finally broke a dangerous partnership and steered India to victory.
The Jansen Onslaught: A Batting Nightmare
Standing at 6-foot-7, Marco Jansen utilized his freakish reach to launch a brutal assault on the Indian bowlers. His 39-ball 70, including 3 sixes, was a display of raw power that threatened to chase down India's formidable target of 350. His unique arc, covering nearly a quarter of the pitch, meant he could smash even good-length deliveries without leaving his crease. Alongside Corbin Bosch, he forged a near-100-run partnership that made the Indian attack look ordinary on a placid Ranchi track.
Kuldeep Yadav, India's premier wicket-taker, bore the brunt of the assault. Despite trying every variation in his arsenal—cutting the flight, bowling faster, attempting yorkers, and even seam-ups—Jansen kept connecting from the middle of his bat. In one expensive over, Jansen reverse-swept him for a four and then hammered a six, forcing captain KL Rahul to take Kuldeep out of the attack after a 16-run over. The spinner cut a forlorn figure as South Africa inched closer.
The Strategic Pivot: A Change of Ends and Mindset
For ten tense overs, India searched for a breakthrough. With the Proteas closing in, Rahul brought Kuldeep back in the 34th over, but with a critical change: he switched his bowling end to the MS Dhoni pavilion end. After consultations with skipper Rahul and senior pro Rohit Sharma, who urged him to "bowl with the mindset of a wicket-taker," Kuldeep returned with a revised plan.
Understanding that Jansen was demolishing anything full, Kuldeep opted for courage over convention. Instead of tossing it up, he bowled a delivery that was slow, short, and skidded low. The ball took an eternity to reach Jansen, who, expecting more bounce, swung mightily but mistimed it completely. The mis-hit landed safely in the hands of Ravindra Jadeja at the boundary, ending the carnage at a pivotal moment.
The Aftermath: Luck, Skill, and Sticking to Basics
Speaking after his 4 for 68, Kuldeep admitted to needing a slice of luck. "You have to mix it up... keep the batsman guessing," he said, discussing his plan on the unresponsive pitch. When asked if the rank short ball was pre-meditated, he chuckled, "Not really, because he was hitting everywhere... sometimes you get lucky with those deliveries."
This dismissal underscored a classic cricket adage: sometimes, it's the bowlers who stick diligently to their plans and maintain courage who get wickets off 'bad' balls. Jansen's wicket proved to be the turning point, ensuring that Virat Kohli's magnificent century did not end up in a losing cause. The victory in Ranchi gave India a crucial lead in the series, built on a foundation of strategic nous and unwavering nerve under fire.
