Virat Kohli finally BREAKS his silence on Test comeback after match-winning ton vs South Africa in Ranchi: ‘I am playing…’

Virat Kohli returned to action with a bang by scoring a century in the first ODI against South Africa and said he was doing his usual physical conditioning and visualization work and that helped him get back on his feet at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

India put up a dominant first innings total, with a magnificent century from Virat Kohli (135 from 120 balls) and vital fifties from Rohit Sharma (57, 51b) and KL Rahul (60, 56b).

After winning the match, Indian batting legend Virat Kohli opened up about his preparations and approach to the game and said that he “doesn’t believe in too much preparation” but his cricket is “mental”. He also explained that he would play “only one form of the game”.

Virat Kohli returns to Test

Virat continued to fascinate fans amidst all the talk about his ODI future leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, reaching his 52nd ODI century and achieving the record for most centuries by a batsman in a single format. Virat smashed 135 runs with 11 fours and seven sixes during his 120-ball stay, making it one of his most delightful centuries in recent times.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Virat said he wanted to stay in his “pleasure zone”. Amid media reports that he was requested to return to Test cricket following the BCCI’s 0-2 drubbing at home to SA, Virat clarified that he had only played one form of the game after announcing his retirement in May this year and would remain that way.

“It was really nice to come into the game like that today. Pitch played well for the first 20-25 overs and started to slow down. It was just about staying in the enjoyment zone. Of course, when you make a start, you go into the situation, you know what needs to be done. Experience comes into play. I have never been someone who believes in preparation. All my cricket has been mental. As long as my physical levels are high and my mental acuity is there, then you know it is. Okay, I took a day off before the match. I am 37 and need time to recover.” It will always be like this; I’m only playing one form of the game.

“If you have played 300+ matches and a lot of cricket, you know that when you bat balls in training, your reflexes and physical ability are there to bat for a long time. As long as you bat the ball well and play good cricket, the important thing is to be physically fit, mentally ready and excited,” Virat said at the presentation ceremony after the match. he said.

IND and SA 1st ODI

In the match, SA put India into bat first. While Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed after a promising start of 16-ball 18, Rohit (57 off 51 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and Virat wowed the Ranchi fans with their 136-run second-wicket stand. India lost its way in the middle; Rohit, Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar (13) were bowled out in quick succession and India were dismissed at 200/4.

But a 76-run partnership between KL (60 in 56 balls, two fours and a six) and Virat and later a 65-run stand for KL with Jadeja (32 in 20 balls, two fours and a six) took India to 349/8 in 50 overs.

During the run chase, SA lost three quick wickets against the Indian pacers and looked set for defeat at 11/3. A 66-run stand between Tony de Zorzi (39 from 37 balls, seven fours) and Matthew Breetzke brought some stability. Dewald Brevis also put in an excellent performance with 37 off 28 balls, with two fours and three sixes, but half their side were lost for 130 runs.

From there, 97 runs between Breetzke (72 in 80 balls, with eight fours and sixes) and Marco Jansen (80 in 39 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) threatened to take the game away from India, but Kuldeep Yadav’s timely intervention eliminated both, reducing SA to 227/8. However, Corbin Bosch (67 from 51 balls, five fours and four sixes) kept the fight alive alongside the lower order by taking SA to within striking distance of victory, but they fell 17 runs behind. Harshit Rana (3/65) was also fine with the ball.

(With inputs from ANI)