Virat Kohli slams record-extending 52nd ODI century, keeps India in hunt for winning total against South Africa in Ranchi

Virat Kohli celebrated his first appearance for the Indian team on home soil in nearly a year with his 83rd international century, bringing up the milestone at run-a-ball during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. Kohli’s century at the JSCA Stadium on Sunday was his 52nd in One-Day Internationals, a format in which he is the current record-holder for most tons.

A leap of joy ❤️💯

A thoroughly entertaining innings from Virat Kohli 🍿

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/MdXtGgRkPo#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/llLByyGHe5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 30, 2025

The former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain brought up the milestone with a boundary off Marco Jansen in the 38th over, bringing up the milestone at more than run-a-ball. He will be hoping to occupy the crease till the end and steer the Men in Blue towards a solid first innings total.

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Here’s how former and current cricketers as well as fans reacted to Kohli’s milestone:

I don’t always believe what I read in the media or on social media. But, if it’s half true that both Virat and Rohit are considering playing Test cricket again, then it needs to be taken very very seriously.
The survival of Test cricket is a hot topic of conversation and if the…

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) November 30, 2025

They never went anywhere. They aren't going anywhere. Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 30, 2025

👑 💯 52*

There will be only one Virat Kohli.

You will have to clap to his class, excellence and drive.

Quite a few things to tick off. Played Virat. 🧿 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/6j0b96LoA0

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 30, 2025

The aggressive and egoistic version of Virat Kohli is back. 😈🔥#INDvSA #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/Ursk2PwDba

— Atharv Shukla (@Atharb_) November 30, 2025

Kohli forges another big stand with Rohit

Kohli had earlier forged a solid second-wicket partnership with fellow batting stalwart Rohit Sharma that was ultimately worth 136. The veteran pair appeared to carry on from where they left off in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, where they had stitched together an unbeaten 168-run stand.

The partnership put the Men in Blue in a dominant position after they lost the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal early. The southpaw opened alongside Rohit in the absence of newly-appointed ODI skipper Shubman Gill, who is sitting out of the ODI series due to a neck injury, but failed to capitalise on the opportunity after getting dismissed for 18 by Nandre Burger.

India had earlier lost yet another toss earlier on Sunday, with South African skipper Aiden Markram – leading in the absence of Temba Bavuma – opting to field.