Ranchi witnessed a Virat Kohli masterclass on Sunday as the former India captain smashed his 52nd ODI century against South Africa, leading India to a 17-run victory. Kohli's magnificent innings of 135 runs off 120 balls was lauded by fans and cricket pundits alike, but perhaps no praise was as heartfelt as that of his teammate, Kuldeep Yadav.
In a candid interview with BCCI, Kuldeep Yadav expressed his awe at Kohli's performance, stating that it felt like he had been transported back in time. "The way that he batted, I felt I had gone back 8-9 years. The way he was batting in 2017, 2018 and 2019," Kuldeep remarked, highlighting the similarity between Kohli's current form and his peak years.
Kuldeep's career began with Virat Kohli as captain, adding a layer of nostalgia to the experience of watching Kohli's innings. He emphasized Kohli's confidence and excellent shot selection during the innings, noting how well the ball was coming off the bat. Kohli's knock included 11 boundaries and seven sixes, demonstrating his aggressive intent and intelligent approach to the game.
Beyond the brilliance of the innings, Kuldeep also spoke about Kohli's invaluable contributions to the team, especially his guidance to bowlers. "It feels good to be with him. You get to learn a lot. You always get inputs. Even in bowling, you get inputs as to what you can do," Kuldeep explained, underlining Kohli's role as a mentor. He further added that having senior players like Kohli around brings energy and intensity to the team, creating a positive environment on and off the field.
Kohli's century in Ranchi not only secured a crucial win for India in the first ODI of the three-match series but also saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar for the most hundreds in a single format. This achievement further solidified Kohli's status as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time. The 37-year-old's innings was a blend of class, aggression, and determination, proving that he remains a force to be reckoned with in the 50-over format.
The match also featured significant contributions from KL Rahul, who scored 60 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with 32 runs. Kuldeep Yadav also made a valuable contribution with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 68 runs, including the crucial wickets of Marco Jansen and Matthew Breetzke. His performance helped India maintain control in the high-scoring contest.
Following the match, Kohli addressed speculation about a potential return to Test cricket, clarifying that he would be focusing solely on ODIs. He emphasized his commitment to the ODI format and his desire to contribute to India's success in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.
Kuldeep Yadav's reaction to Virat Kohli's century perfectly encapsulates the sentiment of many fans and teammates. Kohli's innings was a reminder of his unparalleled talent and unwavering passion for the game, reigniting memories of his dominant performances from years past. As India looks ahead, Kohli's experience and form will be crucial to their chances of success in future ODI tournaments.
