Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Tuesday, 2 December 2025 01:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
India batter Virat Kohli received plenty of plaudits after he scored his 52nd ODI century in a Player of the Match performance against South Africa on Sunday.
Kohli was at his brilliant best as he blasted 135 from just 120 deliveries in Ranchi and in the process help India to a 17-run triumph and a 1-0 series lead in the three-game ODI series against the Proteas.
The veteran shared a 136-run stand with former skipper Rohit Sharma (57) and looked in great touch as he reached triple figures for the first time in 50-over cricket since his superb unbeaten century against Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy in February.
The innings caught the eye of India Batting Coach Sitanshu Kotak who admitted it was an honour to watch the 37-year-old still at the top of his game.
“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 of Kohli.
“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 century also further raised the question as to whether Kohli and Rohit would continue to ply their trade at ODI level, with the hope of continuing on until the next edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.
