Kohli, Rahane lead India to six-wkt win over SA

DURBAN, South Africa, Feb 2 (AFP): Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shared a 189-run third wicket partnership and took India to a comfortable six-wicket win in the first one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead on Thursday.

Kohli made 112 - extending his record of centuries in one-day run chases to 20 - and Rahane scored 79 as India reached the winning target of 270 with 27 balls to spare.

"It was quite special," said Kohli. "The first game of the series is always important and we wanted to take the confidence of the last Test into here."

Kohli, who now has 33 one-day centuries, said he enjoyed batting in a chase.

"It's easier. You can break down a total when you have a number on the board, you know exactly what you want to do against each bowler. It suits my game plan."

The India captain praised Rahane after their partnership took India to within 14 runs of victory before both fell to catches in the deep.