There was a familiar buzz in Ranchi long before the scoreboard lit up and by the time Virat Kohli raised his bat, the entire stadium was thundering in celebration. Returning to the Indian soil in ODI colours for the first time since February, Virat Kohli delivered an innings that felt both nostalgic and fiercely present. His 135 off 120 balls was not just a number, it was a statement.
From the moment he walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal, the anticipation in the stands was palpable. Virat Kohli began with a blend of caution and confidence, gathering his first fifty at a brisk strike rate before briefly slowing down as he moved towards three figures. But once he reached his 52nd ODI century, a milestone that brought an explosion of joy from the crowd, he accelerated dramatically, batting with the freedom and authority that defined his prime years. His post-century strike rate soared to nearly 178 and the South African bowlers could do little to contain him as he stepped down the track, cleared the ropes with ease and threaded boundaries at will.
Though Nandre Burger eventually ended his stay after he smashed seven sixes and eleven fours, Virat Kohli had already carved new marks into the record books. His Ranchi hundred made him the player with the most ODI centuries against South Africa, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar (5) and David Warner (5). It also continued an interesting pattern — Virat Kohli now has three ODI hundreds each at Ranchi, Vizag and Pune, showcasing a rare consistency across venues.
His partnership with Rohit Sharma, worth 136 runs, laid the foundation for India’s imposing total of 349 for eight. Rohit, given an early life after being dropped on one, looked set for a bigger score but fell for 57. Still, their stand revived the familiar “RoKo” rhythm that fans have long cherished and provided the stability India needed on a flat surface.
South Africa’s attack struggled to find discipline, often erring in line and length, but the day belonged to Virat Kohli regardless. With India set to play only a handful of ODIs over the next eight months and Virat Kohli no longer part of the T20I setup, every outing in this format has become more significant.
And in Ranchi, the 36-year-old reminded everyone — selectors, teammates and fans — that he remains India’s most dependable batter of the present times.
