Harsha Bhogle, a cricket analyst, talked about his short chat with Virat Kohli and subsequently asked him about a Test comeback during the post-match presentation after the first ODI against South Africa. The senior pro registered another match-winning performance by scoring a fabulous 135 off 120 balls with the help of eleven boundaries and seven sixes.
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match (POTM) in India’s close 17-run victory, earning his 44th POTM title in ODIs. Bhogle inquired about chatter about a possible comeback to red-ball cricket, but the 37-year-old quickly dismissed the notion, stating that he wishes to focus entirely on the 50-over game. Although Kohli appeared astonished by the question, Bhogle later stated that he had checked with him prior to ensure he was fine answering it.
“I had asked him before if he would be comfortable if I slipped that in,” Bhogle wrote on X to a fan query.
I had asked him before if he would be comfortable if I slipped that in….. https://t.co/DhXOZNVgYI
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 30, 2025“Yes, and that’s how it’s always going to be. I’m just playing one form of the game,” said Kohli in post-match presentation.
Kohli looked in good form as he reached his 52nd ODI century, his third at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. He began his innings with a boundary off the first pitch and then appeared at his fluid best, hitting a sequence of exquisite strokes around the wicket. His second boundary came off a straight drive from Nandre Burger, followed by a lofted six straight down the ground.
The veteran batter then changed gears, unleashing a series of hard strikes. He stepped out to Ottneil Baartman and lofted him over long-off for a spectacular six. Kohli reached his 76th ODI fifty in 48 balls, adding another majestic six over deep midwicket.
He also produced a crushing 136-run second-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma, who needed only 51 balls to smash his way to a landmark innings that included nine sixes. Both players created history by scoring centuries in India’s innings. Kohli later brought up his own hundred from 102 balls, guiding Marco Jansen through third man for four as he continued to lead India’s charge.
