Virat Kohli Shines Again with Century in Second ODI
In the second ODI held in Raipur, Virat Kohli delivered another outstanding performance, scoring his 53rd ODI century. His innings of 102 runs, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad's first ODI century, helped India secure a strong position. Kohli's ability to rotate the strike and maintain momentum was praised by Sunil Gavaskar. The match saw early setbacks for India, but the partnership between Kohli and Gaikwad proved crucial. South African captain Temba Bavuma returned to lead his team, but Kohli's brilliance shone through, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd.
| Dec 4, 2025, 18:12 IST
Kohli's Stellar Performance in Raipur
On Wednesday, during the second ODI held in Raipur, Virat Kohli once again stole the spotlight. Reports indicate that Kohli achieved his 53rd ODI century, marking his second consecutive innings reaching three figures. In the first ODI played in Ranchi, he had also played a crucial role by scoring 135 runs, leading India to victory, and he continued his strong performance in this match as well.
Kohli completed his century off 90 balls, contributing a total of 102 runs and helping the team surpass the 250-run mark. Notably, he accelerated his innings with seven fours and two sixes, consistently rotating the strike and maintaining momentum. This aspect of his game has drawn praise from former captain Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted that Kohli's habit of taking singles makes his batting exceptional, as he always aids his fellow batsmen in keeping the pace.
During the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad also showcased impressive form, achieving his first ODI century with a score of 105 runs, which included 12 fours and 2 sixes. His partnership with Kohli, totaling 195 runs, was pivotal in stabilizing the Indian innings after early setbacks. Initially, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 22 runs, and captain Rohit Sharma managed only 14 before returning to the pavilion, making their partnership crucial.
South African captain Temba Bavuma returned to the team for this match and opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Both Bavuma and Maharaj, who were rested in the first match, made their comeback in this game. Kohli emerged once again as a run machine for India, while the audience in Raipur honored his innings with a standing ovation.