Vintage Kohli Rolls Back Years With Masterful Century
In what can only be described as a classic Virat Kohli performance, the batting maestro scored his 52nd ODI century during the first ODI against South Africa at Ranchi's JSCA International Stadium. The former captain's 135 runs from 120 balls was a reminder of his enduring class and ability to dominate the 50-over format.
Dream Partnership Lights Up Dhoni's Hometown
The packed stadium in MS Dhoni's hometown witnessed a spectacular 136-run partnership between Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, who contributed a brisk 57 from 51 balls. This marked their second substantial stand in recent matches, following their 168-run partnership against Australia last month. Together, the veteran duo smashed 16 sixes during their entertaining collaboration.
Rohit achieved a significant milestone during his innings, surpassing Shahid Afridi to become the highest six-hitter in ODI history. The Indian captain's achievement added to the celebratory atmosphere at the venue, where fans wearing jerseys with numbers 18 and 45 had specifically come to watch their heroes perform.
Kohli's Signature Shots on Full Display
After a slightly nervous start that included an edged four and an lbw appeal, Kohli found his rhythm with a straight drive down the ground that signaled his intent. The turning point came in the eighth over when he charged down the track to hammer speedster Nandre Burger over mid-off for a commanding six.
Kohli treated the Ranchi crowd to his entire repertoire of classic strokes:
- The awe-inspiring cover drive against pacer Corbin Bosch
- The famous swat-flick six dispatched over long-on
- Precise timing and placement that belied his age
What made the innings particularly special was how Kohli, approaching his late 30s, displayed the sharp reflexes and fitness of a much younger cricketer. His performance came at a crucial time for Indian cricket, following the 2-0 Test series defeat against the same opposition.
Emotional Celebration and Fan Reaction
The century moment was typically dramatic - Kohli leaped in the air with a victory cry after reaching the milestone with a boundary to the point region. Captain Rohit Sharma applauded enthusiastically from the dressing room, showing the mutual respect between the two stalwarts.
The emotional connection between Kohli and his fans was evident when a spectator managed to breach security and ran onto the field to touch the batsman's feet. This spontaneous act reflected the sentiments of millions of Indian cricket followers who have missed seeing Kohli's dominant performances in recent times.
The innings served as a powerful statement about the permanence of class, especially considering recent discussions about phasing out older players and accelerating transition in the Indian team. The sight of a sea of '18' and '45' jerseys in the stadium stands suggested that fans still believe in their veteran heroes.
India finished their innings at 349 for eight, setting a challenging target for South Africa in the opening match of the ODI series. The performance not only provided much-needed cheer for Indian cricket fans but also reinforced why Kohli and Sharma remain indispensable to India's limited-overs setup.
