Ranchi, Dec 1 (UNI) Virat Kohli produced another masterclass with a fluent 135 to power India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the opening ODI, even as questions resurfaced over his’s potential involvement in the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Kohli’s 120-ball knock, his 52nd ODI hundred and first in the format since February, anchored India’s total and earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. The 37-year-old shared a 136-run stand with captain Rohit Sharma (57) as India took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak hailed the performance as an example of Kohli’s enduring class. “It was an outstanding knock. He’s a thoroughly outstanding player, and the way he took responsibility was very good,” ICC quoted Kotak.
“This was the 52nd ODI hundred he got, so he’s a thoroughly outstanding player, and he took responsibility, and the way he batted was very good,” he added.
The century revived discussion around whether Kohli and Rohit will continue in ODIs through to the next World Cup, scheduled for 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Assistant coach Morne Morkel had earlier suggested the senior pair could carry on until then, but Kotak pushed back against long-term speculation.
“I don’t know why we need to look at all this. He’s really batting well,” Kotak said. “The way he’s performing, the way he maintains his fitness, there are no questions about anything.”
Kohli himself reiterated that his approach remains centred on physical readiness and mental clarity rather than extensive preparation.
“I think at this stage with the experience that I have for me, it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready and excited to play the games that I’m playing, and more or less everything else should take care of itself,” Kohli said post-game.
“I’ve never been a big believer in a lot of preparation. All my cricket has been mental. As long as I feel mentally I can play the game, I work physically very hard every day of my life, it’s got nothing to do with cricket anymore, it’s just the way I live,” he added.
“So as long as my fitness levels are up and my enjoyment and mental sharpness are there, then you can visualise the game, and you see yourself running as hard, reacting fast on the ball, then you know it’s fine. (I know) One of the days when the game opens up, and you get a start, you’ll be able to score some runs,” the cricketer said.
India now heads to Raipur for the second ODI on Wednesday, where they will aim to seal the series before the final match in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
