Virat Kohli took another step towards cricketing immortality, as he hit his 33rd one-day international century in India's six-wicket win over South Africa in Durban on Thursday.

The victory was not just significant for India, being the nation's first ever ODI win over the hosts in Durban, but also for South Africa, whose run of 17 successive ODI wins at home was ended. India chased down a total of 270 in 45.3 overs, with Kohli scoring 112 of those runs.

His century was methodical and measured and came from 119 balls. It was also his first ODI century on South African soil, which means he has now scored a ton in every country in which he has played.

England and India greats praise Kohli

His performance was praised by former Indian cricket great VVS Laxman, who tweeted, "what a chaser, what an incredible player - Virat Kohli. A hundred in every country he has played. This one has made what looked a tricky chase look like a cakewalk."

Former England captain and now pundit Michael Vaughan was also impressed with Kohli's performance. He tweeted: "He is at it again .. The Greatest chaser the game has ever seen"

But the win was not just about the 29-year-old batting star.

He received more than able support from Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane racked up his fifth successive ODI 50, with a solid 79, which included five fours and two sixes. Only Kohli, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar have also scored five consecutive one-day half centuries.

Rahane and Kohli came together when India was 67 for two, having lost Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan after both had got off to reasonable starts.

Their partnership came to an end in the 43rd over of the innings, when Rahane was caught at long on, after trying to get the game won quickly.

Kohli also did not make it right through to the end of the innings, being dismissed two overs after Rahane went. It was left to M S Dhoni to finish things off for the visiting team, stroking a lovely four to win the game.

Du Plessis scores a century but fractures finger

Earlier, South Africa opted to bet first, with Faf du Plessis scoring his ninth ODI century. India's spin bowlers exerted pressure on the home team's batting lineup, though, and both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were impressive, bowling tight over after tight over. Chahal finished with figures of two for 45.

South Africa was reduced to 143 for five at one stage, before Du Plessis, who finished with 120, had to dig his team out of a big hole. He ended up striking 11 fours and two sixes during his impressive knock, but it was not enough. As it transpired, the Indians simply had too much class throughout the team for the South Africans to handle.

South Africa will have to do without Du Plessis for Sunday's second ODI, too. The skipper has sustained a fractured finger.

Result: India 270 for four (Virat Kohli 112, Ajinkya Rahane 79) beat South Africa 269 for eight (Faf du Plessis 120; Kuldeep Yadav three for 34) by six wickets
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