The night in Ranchi felt like one of those moments when a seasoned champion reminds everyone why he still commands such admiration. Virat Kohli’s match-winning century not only powered India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI but also stirred memories of the fearless, determined batter he has always been.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan captured those memories perfectly. He felt Virat Kohli’s innings revealed two versions of the same player — one who attacked early with confidence and another who settled into a stubborn, unshakeable groove once wickets started tumbling around him. According to Irfan Pathan, this duality comes only from years of experience and unmatched fitness, qualities Virat Kohli continues to display even as questions swirl about his long-term ODI future heading into the 2027 World Cup.
On the field, the numbers spoke loudly. Virat Kohli’s 135 off 120 balls, decorated with 11 boundaries and seven sixes, marked his 52nd ODI hundred and extended his record for the most centuries by any batter in a single format. More importantly, it was an innings played with genuine joy, the kind that lifted not just the scoreboard but the spirits of the crowd and the dressing room.
Yet Irfan Pathan didn’t shy away from pointing out what went wrong for others. Ruturaj Gaikwad, back in the ODI setup, managed just eight runs, and Washington Sundar, promoted to No. 5, couldn’t make his chance count either, falling for 13. Their missed opportunities contrasted sharply with the assurance shown by India’s senior players.
Rohit Sharma’s fluent 57 off 51 balls brought balance and aggression at the top, and his 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli formed the backbone of India’s 349 for eight. KL Rahul added a composed half-century to keep the innings steady through the middle overs.
South Africa’s chase started disastrously as they slipped to 11 for three but a spirited fightback led by Marco Jansen, Matthew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch kept the contest alive deep into the evening. In the end, Kuldeep Yadav’s timely strikes broke their momentum, allowing India to cling on and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
For fans, the lasting image from the match will be Virat Kohli in full flow — calm, fierce and utterly dependable, reminding everyone that his story in ODI cricket is far from finished.
