Even though several young guns have emerged on the Indian cricket scene over the last few years, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s appeal remains unmatched. The veteran duo now plays only ODIs, which means fans get to see them in India colors only after long gaps. The India vs South Africa ODI series gave fans an opportunity to witness the Ro-KO magic once again. Kohli was in sublime form in the first ODI as he slammed his 52nd ODI century. In the same match, Rohit scored 57 off 51 balls and shared a 100-plus partnership with Kohli.

When Kohli reached his hundred, Rohit was already out. However, he was visibly pumped up in the Indian dressing room and could be seen celebrating energetically with Arshdeep Singh by his side. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep later revealed that he was receiving messages asking him to disclose what Rohit said. Arshdeep did reveal it—but in a humorous way, much to fans’ amusement.

Dale Steyn Praises Rohit Sharma’s Masterful Batting

Former South African pace legend Dale Steyn lauded Rohit Sharma’s batting in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. Steyn noted Rohit’s ability to put bowlers under pressure with his tactical gameplay. Rohit made 57 runs off 51 balls, including five fours and three sixes. His three sixes in the match took him past Shahid Afridi’s record for the most sixes in ODIs.

Sharma entered the game needing only three sixes to surpass Afridi’s record of 351 sixes in 369 innings. Rohit achieved this milestone in 100 fewer innings, now holding the record with 352 sixes in 269 innings.

"He batted beautifully. He gave one opportunity to Tony de Zorzi

—could have been a different situation—but he capitalised well after that. He loves those cover drives and flicks, comes down the wicket when he wants to, and puts bowlers under pressure. One particular shot summed up his innings for me: third man was up, point was up, and he just guided the ball delicately past short third man for four. It caught everyone off guard. He was reading the game superbly. He’s a fantastic batter. I love watching him, even though I never got him out," remarked Dale Steyn on JioStar.

Sharma hit two sixes off Prenelan Subrayen and another off pace bowler Marco Jansen, showcasing his explosive batting style. Rohit marked his 60th ODI fifty in the 19th over of the first innings but could not convert it into a hundred as he fell to Jansen in the 22nd over.