KL Rahul has lauded the performance of young pacer Harshit Rana in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, revealing the positive first impression Rana made on the team. India won the match by 17 runs, successfully defending a total of 349.

Rana, who has been under scrutiny, delivered an impactful spell, taking crucial wickets and showcasing the skills India has been searching for. He made an immediate impact by claiming the wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock for ducks in his opening over. Later, he dismissed the dangerous Dewald Brevis, who had earlier hit a no-look six off Rana. Brevis attempted another big shot but was caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Rahul, speaking at the post-match presentation, emphasized Rana's raw pace, height, and ability to make an impact with the ball, calling him a "special" addition to the team. He highlighted that Rana possesses the skillset India has been seeking: a tall, fast bowler who can hit the deck and contribute valuable runs. Rahul said that the team knew from the moment Rana entered the dressing room that he was special.

Rana's fiery send-off to Dewald Brevis after taking his wicket went viral on social media. While this showed Rana's competitiveness, it could also lead to a potential ICC penalty for breaching the code of conduct.

Despite Rana's early success, South Africa recovered, with Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen scoring half-centuries. Kuldeep Yadav's four wickets helped India regain control, but Corbin Bosch's aggressive batting kept South Africa in the game until the end.

Earlier in the match, Virat Kohli scored a century, and Rohit Sharma broke the record for most ODI sixes. Kohli's knock of 135 and Rahul's 60 helped India reach a total of 349/8. Rohit Sharma also contributed with 57 runs.