In a stunning return to international cricket, Virat Kohli smashed his record-extending 52nd ODI century and immediately confirmed his long-term future lies exclusively in the 50-over format. The legendary batter made this announcement after receiving the Player of the Match award in India's 17-run victory over South Africa in Ranchi on November 30, 2025.
Kohli's Definitive Format Decision
When renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle asked if playing only one form of the game would be his permanent approach, Kohli provided a crystal-clear response. "Yes, that's how it's always going to be. I'm just playing one form of the game," the 37-year-old stated unequivocally. This was Kohli's first appearance for India in several months, underscoring his selective approach to international commitments while maintaining peak performance.
Mental Mastery Over Physical Preparation
Despite being celebrated as one of cricket's fittest athletes, Kohli revealed that his success stems more from mental conditioning than extensive practice. "I've never been a big believer of a lot of preparation, if that makes sense. All my cricket has been mental," Kohli explained during the post-match presentation.
He elaborated on his unique approach: "As long as I feel mentally, I can play the game. I work physically very hard every day of my life. It's got nothing to do with cricket anymore. It's the way I live. So as long as my fitness levels are up and my mental enjoyment and sharpness is there, when I can visualize the game and I see myself running as hard, reacting fast on the ball, then I know it's fine."
Record-Breaking Performance in Ranchi
Kohli's magnificent 135 runs off 120 balls formed the backbone of India's imposing total of 349 runs. The innings wasn't just match-winning—it was historic, breaking multiple records:
- 52nd ODI century - extending his own world record
- First player to score 25 ODI centuries at home
- Surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's 51 Test centuries for most centuries in a single international format
- Broke partnership records with Rohit Sharma and batting position milestones
The batting maestro, who now resides in London, shared insights into his specific preparation for the Ranchi match. "I wanted to get hold of the conditions a little bit back. A couple of sessions in the daylight and then one session in the evening and then my prep work was done," Kohli revealed, adding that he took a day off before the game to manage recovery at age 37.
When questioned about delivering such dominant performances despite limited game time, Kohli pointed to his extensive experience. "I've played 300-odd ODI games and so much cricket over the last 15-16 years," he noted. "As long as you're hitting the ball well and you're playing good cricket, I think at this stage with the experience that I have, for me, it's about being physically fit, mentally ready and excited to play the games that I'm playing."
This comprehensive victory and Kohli's definitive statements provide Indian cricket fans with clarity about the future involvement of one of the game's greatest batters, while showcasing that his powers remain undiminished despite his selective schedule.
