Virat Kohli Shines in ODI Series Against South Africa
Kohli's Exceptional Performance in the ODI Series
Virat Kohli demonstrated his remarkable skills during the recent three-match ODI series against South Africa, marking a return to his peak form. He not only emerged as the leading run-scorer but also set a personal record by hitting 12 sixes throughout the series, the highest he has ever achieved in any ODI series or tournament, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Prior to this series, Kohli's record for sixes in an ODI series was nine, which he accomplished against Sri Lanka in the 2022-23 season. He also matched this number during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
In the final ODI held in Visakhapatnam, Kohli scored an impressive 65 not out off 45 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.
Kohli's Approach to Batting
Following the match, Kohli expressed that he played with a sense of freedom, aiming to enjoy the game, take calculated risks, and push his limits. He stated, "When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. I wanted to have fun since I was batting well, take a bit more risk, and see how far I can go. There are always new levels to unlock, and it requires taking risks."
Impressive Statistics
Kohli concluded the series as the top scorer, amassing 302 runs at an average of 151.00 and a strike rate exceeding 117, including two centuries and one fifty. In 13 ODIs this year, he has maintained his excellent form, scoring 651 runs in 13 innings with an average of 65.10, featuring three centuries and four fifties, with a highest score of 135.
Against South Africa, Kohli has played 34 ODIs and scored 1,806 runs at an average of 72.24, with a strike rate close to 90, including seven centuries and nine fifties, with a best score of 160 not out.
Highlights from the 3rd ODI: India vs South Africa
In the third ODI, India won the toss and opted to bowl first, allowing South Africa to bat. The Proteas lost Ryan Rickelton for a duck, but Quinton de Kock (106 runs off 89 balls, including eight fours and six sixes) and captain Temba Bavuma (48 runs off 67 balls, with five fours) formed a solid 113-run partnership.
De Kock then partnered with Matthew Breetzke (24 runs off 23 balls, two sixes) to add 54 runs, but South Africa faltered to 199/5, with Prasidh Krishna claiming 4 wickets for 66 runs.
Dewald Brevis (29 runs off 29 balls, two fours, one six) and Marco Jansen (17 runs off 15 balls, two fours) attempted to counterattack, but Kuldeep Yadav's impressive 4 wickets for 41 runs helped limit South Africa to 270 all out in 47.5 overs after they had been well-placed at 234/5.
India's Successful Chase
India successfully chased down the target in 39.5 overs, with Rohit Sharma scoring 75 runs off 73 balls (seven fours, three sixes) in a 155-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who achieved his first ODI century. Jaiswal finished with an unbeaten 116 runs off 121 balls (12 fours, three sixes) and later shared another century partnership with Virat Kohli (65 runs not out off 45 balls, six fours, three sixes), securing a commanding series victory.