Modern-day great Virat Kohli's return to peak ODI form has been a positive sign for the Indian team in the ongoing series against South Africa. The veteran batter smashed back-to-back centuries in Ranchi and Raipur, but it was not just the runs that grabbed headlines, but also his aggressive celebrations that followed. Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently decoded the reason behind Kohli's reactions, believing they carry an emotional message linked to recent criticism and his Test retirement.
After a lean run in Test cricket and speculation around his future, the 37-year-old made the tough decision to retire from the longest format earlier this year. The BCCI's mandate requiring senior players to participate in domestic cricket increased criticism, leading both Rohit Sharma and Kohli to play Ranji Trophy matches after nearly a decade. Many believed the two legends were forced towards Test retirement rather than voluntarily choosing it.
Meanwhile, Kohli suffered a brief slump, including two ducks in Australia, before smashing a match-winning 74 in Sydney. But it was his twin centuries against South Africa that saw him get back on form. In the ongoing ODI series, Kohli smashed 135 in Ranchi and 102 in Raipur and followed it up with another ton in Raipur. With 237 runs at an average of 118.50 in the series, he is the frontrunner for Player of the Series heading into the decider at Visakhapatnam, a venue where he averages nearly 98.
