Virat Kohli had a dream show in the ODI series against South Africa, especially after an ordinary outing against Australia last month. Kohli rolled back the time and looked in his prime throughout the series. India ended up sealing the three-match series 2-1 riding on a emphatic nine-wicket win over South Africa in Vizag on November 6. And King Kohli was adjudged the player of the series for his superlative batting in the three-match contest. After cracking back to back centuries in the first two matches, Kohli topped it up with an unbeaten 65 which aggregates to 302 runs in three matches at a robust average of 151.
Virat Kohli reacts after India seal ODI series against South Africa
Right after the series-deciding match, Kohli stated that he is satisfied by the he played in the series and he is much relaxed in his mind.
"Honestly, playing the way I have in the series is the most satisfying thing for me. I feel really free in my mind. I haven't played like this in 2-3 years. I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team a long way. Makes me confident, any situation in the middle, I can handle that and bring it in favor of the team," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
When you play for 15-16 years, you do doubt yourself: Virat Kohli
However, he admitted that when someone plays for 15-16 years, it's natural to doubt oneself.
"When you play for that long - 15-16 years, you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter when one mistake can get you out. It's a whole journey of getting better and getting better as a person along the way. It improves you as a person and it improves temperament as well. I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There's always levels you can always unlock," he added.
It all started with Ranchi, which scripted Kohli's comeback, where he struck a towering 135 in India's winning cause. From there, there was no looking back as not for a second he kept his foot off the pedal and score runs like freebies.
"The first one at Ranchi - because I hadn't played a game since Australia. Just how your energy is on the day, Ranchi is very special for me and I'm very grateful as to how these three games have gone. It's always brought the best of us - that's what we want to play for. When it's 1-1, we want to do something special for the team. That's why we have played for the team for so long. Just happy that both of us continue to do it for so long," Kohli concluded.
How did the match unfold?
Talking about the match, South Africa endured a disappointing outing with the bat after being asked to bat first for the first time in the series. Although Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma stabilized the innings with a crucial 100-plus partnership following Ryan Rickelton's early dismissal, the team ultimately failed to capitalize on that solid platform. De Kock was the highlight, completing a superb century—his seventh against India—but the moment he fell, the momentum shifted rapidly in India's favour. Prasidh Krishna bounced back brilliantly, taking three key wickets in a decisive spell, while Kuldeep Yadav dismantled the lower order with his four-wicket haul, collectively restricting the visitors to an underwhelming total of 270.
In response, India chased the target with authority and control. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma started cautiously before accelerating, with Rohit displaying his signature attacking strokes before his dismissal. Jaiswal powered on with great composure to register his maiden ODI hundred, while Virat Kohli ensured calm and continuity at the other end. This clinical and composed batting performance ultimately sealed the series triumph for India in style.