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Virat Kohli delivered a match-defining 135 off 120 balls in Ranchi’s first ODI against South Africa, powering India to 349/8 and a tense 17-run victory on November 30, 2025. The 37-year-old’s knock, featuring 11 fours and seven sixes, marked his 52nd ODI century and earned him Player of the Match honors at JSCA International Stadium Complex. This performance silenced whispers of a Test return following his May 2025 retirement from the format after 123 matches and 9,230 runs.
IND vs SA: Harsha Bhogle reveals off-air chat with Virat Kohli before discussing his Test comeback
During the post-match presentation, commentator Harsha Bhogle posed a subtle query: whether Kohli planned to stick to one format amid ongoing speculation. Kohli affirmed his commitment to ODIs only, stating at 37 he prioritizes recovery after 300-plus games, emphasizing mental readiness and physical fitness over multi-format demands. Bhogle later clarified on X that he had an off-air chat with Kohli beforehand, seeking permission to “slip that in” to avoid catching him off-guard, countering fan suggestions of surprise.
I had asked him before if he would be comfortable if I slipped that in…..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
IND vs SA: Kohli’s Ranchi masterclass fuels ODI focus
Kohli’s innings showcased vintage flair, starting with an outside edge for four before unleashing straight drives and lofted sixes against Nandre Burger and Ottneil Baartman. His 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma for the second wicket, their eighth century partnership at home, laid the foundation on a pitch that slowed later. Now with six ODI tons against South Africa, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s five, Kohli boasts a 173 average in Ranchi across 519 runs in five innings, all three centuries exceeding 120.
South Africa mounted a chase to 332, led by Corbin Bosch‘s 67 off 51, but Kuldeep Yadav‘s 4/68 sealed the win. Kohli’s response to Bhogle underscored no U-turn: “That’s how it’s always going to be, I’m just playing one form of the game.” This stance aligns with his Test exit ahead of India’s England tour, prioritizing longevity in ODIs where reflexes and excitement sustain him.
