Batting stalwart Virat Kohli once again showed why he is one of the best ODI batters, smashing a brilliant 135 to script a narrow 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. Kohli's 52nd ODI hundred headlined the game despite South Africa's batting efforts. Following the game, he shared how he continues to excel in the only format he still plays.
India entered the ODI series after having lost 19 consecutive tosses and coming off a disappointing Test series. Kohli and Rohit Sharma took on the opposition bowlers before India posted 349. Kohli later explained that at this stage of his career, meticulous practice is no longer his priority.
Walking in early after Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal, the veteran instantly smashes a boundary off his first ball. He stitched a 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma, who also brought up a record for most ODI sixes.His hundred came off 102 balls, leading to a fan running onto the field and falling at his feet. After reaching his ton, he hammered 20 runs off four deliveries against Prenelan Subrayen. His eventual 135 off 120 balls, laced with 11 fours and seven sixes, took India near 350. The Delhi-born spoke about his recovery at this age and opened up on his reflexes.