Virat Kohli capped off a sensational return to ODI cricket by choosing his favourite innings from India’s 2-1 series win over South Africa – a series in which he struck 135, 102 and 65 not out and earned his 20th Player of the Series award in international cricket.
Virat Kohli rediscovers vintage form with series-winning brilliance against South Africa
The 36-year-old admitted that the three-match contest marked his most complete batting display in several years, describing the experience as “freeing” and “deeply satisfying.”
“Playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me,” Kohli said after India’s nine-wicket win in the Vizag decider. “I don’t think I have played at this level for a good 2-3 years now. I feel really free in my mind. The whole game is coming together nicely.”
Across the series, Kohli struck 12 sixes, more than any other batter, reflecting a renewed attacking instinct. He said he intentionally pushed his scoring boundaries, allowing himself to take more calculated risks.
Kohli reveals his best knock of the South Africa ODI series
Although all three innings were pivotal, Kohli singled out his 135 at Ranchi, his 52nd ODI hundred, as the standout. That knock set up India’s narrow 17-run win in the series opener and helped unlock the rhythm he felt had been missing from his game.
“I hadn’t played a game since Australia,” Kohli said. “To come out and start hitting the ball well – you just know when your energy is right on the day. It gives you confidence to take risks. When they come off, it unlocks that zone as a batsman which you crave for. Ranchi was very special because it opened me up in a way I hadn’t felt for a while.”
Kohli explained that the emotional and technical clarity he felt in Ranchi carried through the rest of the series, allowing him to bat with fluency and power.
Kohli opens up about his mental battle against batting
Reflecting on a career that has spanned nearly 16 years, Kohli acknowledged that even the greatest players experience periods of uncertainty.
“When you play for that long, you’re going to have phases where you doubt your ability,” he said. “As a batsman you’re relying on one mistake – that’s all it takes. So you tend to go into a space where you feel maybe you’re not good enough. The nerves take over. That’s the beauty of sport.”
Kohli said overcoming that fear is part of the craft: “Every ball you play, and eventually every long innings, helps you get back into that confident zone. It’s a journey of learning and getting to know yourself better.”
He added that batting has played a major role in shaping who he is: “It improves you as a person. Your temperament becomes more balanced. Yes, I’ve had phases where I’ve doubted myself, and I’m not shy to admit it. It’s human.”
With his form peaking again, Kohli’s recent performance suggests a reinvigorated chapter in his ODI journey – and a reminder of why he remains one of cricket’s most feared big-match players.
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