Virat Kohli capped off a sensational ODI series against South Africa with yet another effortless 50-plus score, marking a remarkable return to his vintage form. The Indian batting maestro accumulated 302 runs in three innings, finishing with a Player of the Series award while openly admitting that he hasn’t played with this level of clarity and freedom “in two or three years.”
Kohli’s tally included two back-to-back centuries—a commanding 135 off 120 balls in Ranchi, followed by a fluent 102 off 93 deliveries in Raipur—and a polished 65 off 45 balls* in the series decider. His numbers reflected a throwback to his 2016–19 golden era: a staggering average of 151.00 and a strike rate of 117.05, marked by authority, precision, and total control over the opposition attacks.
“Honestly, playing the way I have in this series is the most satisfying thing for me,” Kohli said after India sealed the series. “I feel really free in my mind. I don’t think I’ve played at this level for a good 2–3 years now. The game is coming together nicely.”
Kohli emphasised that batting with such ease allows him to adapt to any match situation. “I know that when I bat like this, it helps the team in a big way. I can bat long, I can change gears, and I can control the innings. Being confident in any situation makes me feel like I can turn it in the team’s favour.”
Reflecting on self-doubt, Kohli acknowledged the mental battles veteran players often face. “When you play for 15–16 years, you’re going to have phases where you doubt your ability—especially as a batter. One mistake ends your innings, so you naturally begin questioning yourself. Maybe you feel you’re not good enough. That’s the beauty of sport. You must overcome fear every ball.”
He added that dealing with such phases is part of a larger personal journey. “It improves you as a person and strengthens your temperament. I’ve had many phases where I doubted myself, and I’ve never shied away from accepting it. It’s a very human experience.”
Kohli also addressed his impressive six-hitting spree in the series, saying: “When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There are always levels you can unlock.”
Among his three standout innings, the Ranchi hundred remains the most special for him. “The first one at Ranchi—because I hadn’t played a game since Australia. It was about how your energy is on the day. Ranchi was very special, and I’m grateful for how these three games went.”
He concluded by highlighting his and Rohit Sharma’s enduring motivation to deliver for India: “When it’s 1-1, we want to do something special for the team. That’s why we’ve played for the team for so long. I’m just happy that both of us continue to do it even now.”