Former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik lauded Virat Kohli after his century in the opening ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. Batting first, India put up 349/8 in 50 overs, with Kohli bringing up his 52nd ODI ton.
The 37-year-old produced a stellar 135 off 120 deliveries, hammering 11 fours and seven sixes. South Africa, in response, were bundled out for 332 in 49.2 overs, handing India a 17-run victory and a perfect start to the series.
In a video shared on Instagram, Karthik issued a bold statement, insisting that Kohli has nothing left to prove to anyone and that his latest masterclass once again highlighted why he is among the most iconic athletes of this era. Praising the veteran, Karthik remarked:
“Virat Kohli has nothing, nothing to prove to any of us. I mean what more can you say about a player who has just turned run scoring into an art form. His 83rd international hundred today, 52nd in ODI cricket alone, that’s a record in itself. He broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most number of 100s in a single format. With this 100, he once again shows why he is the defining athlete of this generation.”
“The discipline, the hunger, the unrelenting passion towards fitness and that you could see today. The way he stepped out and played paces, his nimble footwork against spin but most importantly, the way he converted ones into twos and the speed at which he ran, the agility,” he added.
“May He Lift The World Cup Again In 2027” – Dinesh Karthik On Virat Kohli
In the same video, Dinesh Karthik continued to applaud the veteran batter, adding that he hopes Virat Kohli maintains his brilliance and goes on to lift the ODI World Cup trophy again in 2027. He stated:
“Every innings that he bats is a lesson, another reminder that we are actually witnessing a once in a generation athlete. Virat Kohli doesn’t chase greatness anymore I feel. He actually sets the standard for what it means to be a legend in this sport. And today he’s just added another chapter to his great legacy and that just continues to keep going. May he soar higher and make sure in 2027, he lifts that cup once again. Good luck.”
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