Virat Kohli Set to Shine in Upcoming ODI Series Against South Africa

As the first ODI against South Africa approaches, cricket fans are eager to see Virat Kohli back in action. With a stellar record against the Proteas and just 337 runs away from 28,000 international runs, Kohli's performance is highly anticipated. The series runs from November 28 to December 6, and Kohli aims to regain his rhythm after a mixed outing in Australia. His impressive history at the JSCA Stadium adds to the excitement. Will he achieve this milestone? Read on for more details about the match and the Indian squad.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 29, 2025, 02:21 IST

Kohli Returns for First ODI in Ranchi

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 28: Renowned Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is gearing up to take the field in the opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi this Sunday.

The ODI series, consisting of three matches, will kick off on Sunday and run until December 6. The 36-year-old batsman aims to regain his form following a challenging tour in Australia, where he started with two consecutive ducks but ended on a high note with an unbeaten 74 in a match-winning partnership alongside Rohit Sharma.

Kohli boasts an impressive record against South Africa, amassing 1,504 runs in 31 ODIs over 29 innings, averaging 65.39. His tally includes five centuries and eight fifties, with a top score of 160*. He ranks as the third-highest run-scorer in ODIs between these two cricketing giants, trailing only South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis (1,535 runs in 37 ODIs) and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (2,001 runs in 57 ODIs).

At the JSCA Stadium, Kohli has fond memories, having scored 384 runs in five matches, averaging an impressive 192.00, with a best of 139*. In his last ODI appearance in Ranchi, he delivered a stellar performance, scoring 123 runs off 95 balls while chasing 314 against Australia, as his teammates struggled to reach 40 runs.

Additionally, Kohli is just 337 runs shy of reaching 28,000 runs in international cricket. If he excels in this series, he will join the elite club of players who have achieved this milestone, following Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs).

Currently, Kohli has accumulated 27,673 runs in 553 matches and 620 innings, maintaining an average of 52.21, with 82 centuries and 144 fifties, and a personal best of 254*.

In 2023, Kohli has played 10 ODIs, scoring 349 runs at an average of 43.62, including one century and three fifties, with a top score of 100*.

India's ODI squad for the series against South Africa includes: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Dhruv Jurel.