Introduction
Virat Kohli continues to display why he is regarded as one of the most consistent and celebrated batters in world cricket. His remarkable performances in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa have once again reinforced his mastery, determination, and hunger for runs.
A Century in Ranchi Sets the Tone
Kohli kicked off the series in spectacular fashion by scoring a brilliant 135 off 120 balls during India’s 17-run victory in Ranchi. This innings not only set the momentum for the series but also reminded fans of the classic Kohli flair — precision, patience, and an incredible ability to shift gears when needed.
A Fluent Fifty in Raipur
Following his century, Kohli continued his form with a composed half-century in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. He brought up his fifty with a trademark calm drive to sweeper cover off Lungi Ngidi, triggering thunderous chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” across the stadium.
Acknowledgement From the Camp
As Virat Kohli raised his bat to acknowledge the electrifying crowd, cameras captured head coach Gautam Gambhir applauding from the dressing room — a moment that symbolized both appreciation and the significance of Kohli’s consistency.
Unmatched Consistency in ODIs
Kohli’s recent scores — 74(81), 135(120), and 50(47) — highlight a purple patch that further solidifies his place among the game’s elite. With his latest half-century, he has now achieved 13 separate streaks of three or more consecutive 50-plus ODI scores, a record unmatched by any other batter. Rohit Sharma trails with 11 such streaks, while Sachin Tendulkar has 10, showcasing the rare company Kohli commands.
Impact on the ICC ODI Rankings
His match-winning century in Ranchi, also his 52nd ODI hundred, propelled India to a series lead and boosted his ICC ODI ranking. Kohli climbed to No. 4 with 751 points, just behind Rohit Sharma (783), Daryl Mitchell (766), and Ibrahim Zadran (764). He also surpassed captain Shubman Gill, who dropped to No. 5 due to injury-forced absence.
Other Indian Standouts
Shreyas Iyer holds strong at No. 9 in the ODI batting rankings, while Kuldeep Yadav made a significant jump to No. 6 after a four-wicket haul in the series opener. In Test cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal sits at No. 9 among batters, and Jasprit Bumrah continues his reign as the No. 1 Test bowler with 879 points.
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