In a riveting first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, Virat Kohli lit up the stadium with a masterful knock of 135 runs off 120 balls — including 7 sixes and 11 boundaries. That monumental innings carried India to a formidable total of 349/8. His century — his 52nd in ODIs — was the backbone of India’s strong batting effort, giving his team a powerful platform from which to challenge South Africa.
Kohli’s partnership with Rohit Sharma, who contributed a quickfire 57 off 51 balls, was pivotal in propelling India’s score beyond 340.
A Record to Remember
With this century, Virat didn’t just score big — he rewrote the record books. That 135-run knock marked his 52nd ODI hundred, cementing his place at the top of the all-time list for most hundreds in the format.
#roko #ViratKohli
How Rohit Sharma Celebrate King Kohli #Century 🥵🥵pic.twitter.com/i6eFx1Xnmx— Prof cheems ॐ (@Prof_Cheems) November 30, 2025
𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 8️⃣3️⃣
THE LEGEND ❤️🔥👑🐐#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/OwCqxFaFFX— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) November 30, 2025
That expressions from both of them and the stare from Bholi😭
They have TAKEN IT PERSONAL and you can't convince me otherwise 😉pic.twitter.com/XaJKvs93xi
— Misty Sinha (@naive_shrewd) November 30, 2025
As fans and pundits alike celebrated, it was clear that this innings will be remembered as one of the defining moments of his illustrious career.
The excitement reverberated on the field when Virat reached his hundred: the boundary off South Africa’s pacer triggered a wave of celebrations, and the entire crowd rose to applaud his milestone.
A Crowd’s Respect — and Emotions
The stadium atmosphere turned electric as Kohli returned to the pavilion. Fans erupted into a standing ovation, a spontaneous tribute to his magnificent performance. The reverence was evident beyond cheers — one fan, overwhelmed by emotion, managed to breach security and touched the cricketer’s feet as a mark of respect, before being escorted away.
The moment resonated deeply, and videos of the ovation quickly went viral on social media — a powerful testament to the affection and admiration fans hold for their hero.
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