Kohli’s Ranchi heroics spark fresh debate over his ODI future

India batter Virat Kohli drew widespread praise after producing a sublime Player-of-the-Match effort in the first ODI against South Africa on Sunday, where his 52nd ODI century powered India to a 17-run win and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Kohli was in complete command at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, crafting a brilliant 135 off 120 balls. His knock, full of precise stroke play and relentless intensity, anchored India’s innings and featured a crucial 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57). The century was his first in ODIs since his unbeaten hundred against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

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His performance drew rich appreciation from India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who said it was a privilege to witness Kohli operating at such a high level.

“It was an outstanding knock, obviously. He batted really well, not just in the one-day format but all the formats he has done well,” Kotak said.

“This was the 52nd ODI hundred he got, so he’s a thoroughly outstanding player, and he took responsibility, and the way he batted was very good.”

The innings inevitably renewed discussions about whether Kohli and Rohit Sharma might continue in ODIs through to the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Assistant coach Morne Morkel had recently hinted that the veteran duo could stretch their careers until the next global event. However, Kotak urged against projecting too far ahead.

“I don’t know why we need to look at all this. He’s really batting well. I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future,” Kotak said.

“It’s just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant, man. I wouldn’t really. The way he’s performing, the way he maintains his fitness, there is, there are no questions about anything.”

With the series now shifting to Raipur for the second ODI on Wednesday, India will aim to close out the contest before the final game in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. For Kohli, though, the formula remains unchanged, relying on his fitness, mental clarity, and an approach that has defined his long and prolific career.

“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, and more or less everything else should take care of itself,” Kohli said after the match.

“I’ve never been a big believer of a lot of preparation. All my cricket has been mental. 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 just the way I live.

“So as long as my fitness levels are up and my enjoyment and mental sharpness is there, then you can visualise the game and you see yourself running as hard, reacting fast on the ball, then you know it’s fine. (I know) one of the days when the game opens up and you get a start, you’ll be able to score some runs,” he added.

Felt like I had gone 8-9 years back: Kuldeep

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav said Kohli’s masterful innings made him feel as though he had been transported nearly a decade back, adding that the former captain is still batting with the same dominance he showed between 2016 and 2019.

Speaking to bcci.tv, Kuldeep praised the knock, saying, “My career started with Virat bhai when he was the captain. The way he batted, I felt I had gone back 8-9 years, the way he was batting in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2016 even. It was a very good innings and he looked very confident. Whatever his shot selection was, the ball was coming nicely off the bat.”

Kuldeep added that Kohli, along with other senior players, continues to guide the bowling group with valuable inputs and tactical suggestions during matches.

“It feels good being around him. You get to learn a lot. You always get inputs. Even in bowling, you get inputs as to what you can do. It feels good to be with the seniors. There is energy and intensity in the team, as you have seen in the field. We are very lucky with it,” he said.

With a 1-0 lead in the series, India will now face South Africa in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.