Virat Kohli scored 102 runs against South Africa

Virat Kohli scored 102 runs against South Africa a King Kohli slams his second consecutive century

King Kohli’s Clinical 102 Anchors India in Raipur Thriller!

Raipur, Chhattisgarh – December 3, 2025: In a demonstration of relentless class and insatiable hunger, Virat Kohli slammed his 53rd One-Day International century, a magnificent 102 against South Africa in the 2nd ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. The captain’s knock, coming off just 93 deliveries (including 7 fours and 2 sixes), not only cemented his status as the format’s unparalleled maestro but also powered India towards a daunting total, putting them in pole position to seal the three-match series.

Back-to-Back Brilliance

The century in Raipur marks a phenomenal return to his prime, being his second successive ton of the series, following a superlative 135 in the series opener in Ranchi. This feat equals an incredible personal record, marking the 11th time in his storied career that Kohli has hit two or more consecutive ODI hundreds—a record far exceeding any other batsman in the format’s history. The way he has taken on the Proteas attack, blending caution with calculated aggression, is a testament to the fact that, at 37, ‘King Kohli’ remains the heartbeat of the Indian batting line-up.

The Foundation of the Stand

India, after being put into bat by South African skipper Temba Bavuma, had a mixed start. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and Rohit Sharma (14) both departed cheaply, leaving India precariously placed at 62/2 in the tenth over. The stage was set for the former captain to take control, and he did so with the conviction of a master craftsman.

Kohli initially paired with the young Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was looking to cement his place in the side. What followed was a majestic alliance that not only rescued the innings but transformed it into a dominant display. The duo stitched together a monumental 195-run partnership for the third wicket, setting a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket for India against South Africa in ODIs, surpassing the 189-run stand by Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik in 2010.

A Masterclass in Strike Rotation

While Gaikwad—who himself went on to score a brilliant maiden ODI century (105 off 83 balls)—unleashed a flurry of boundaries, Kohli played the perfect foil, focusing on turning the strike over and milking the gaps. The highlight of his innings was the sheer athleticism and astute running between the wickets. Out of his 102 runs, a staggering 62 runs came via singles and doubles, underlining legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar’s on-air remark: “Why you need a Superman when you have Virat Kohli. The key thing is the singles, which is the lifeline of ODI cricket.” This rotation ensured that pressure never mounted, negating the threat posed by South Africa’s spin and medium-pace bowlers in the middle overs.

Kohli brought up his half-century in the 25th over, calmly navigating a tricky phase where the Proteas spinners Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram tried to tighten the screws. However, the true acceleration came as he neared the century mark. The landmark arrived in the 38th over, as he pushed a Marco Jansen delivery to long-on for a single, leaping and punching the air in a familiar, passionate celebration. It was his 84th international century, inching him closer to the all-time record.

South Africa’s Struggle and India’s Total

The partnership’s destructive power meant South Africa’s bowlers, particularly the pace trio of Marco Jansen, Nandre Burger, and Lungi Ngidi, struggled to find a breakthrough during the crucial middle phase. Ngidi eventually claimed Kohli’s wicket, dismissing him for 102 off 93 balls when a tired-looking lofted shot found Aiden Markram at long-on.