Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle revealed details of his brief exchange with Virat Kohli before questioning him about rumours of a Test comeback during the post-match presentation after the first ODI against South Africa. The veteran batter produced another match-winning performance, scoring a magnificent 135 off 120 balls with 11 fours and seven sixes.
Kohli, who was named Player of the Match (POTM) in India’s narrow 17-run victory, earned his 44th POTM award in ODIs. Bhogle asked him about speculation regarding a potential return to red-ball cricket, but the 37-year-old promptly dismissed the idea, reiterating that he intends to focus solely on the 50-over format. Although it seemed as if Kohli was momentarily surprised by the question, Bhogle later clarified that he had checked with Kohli beforehand to ensure he was comfortable addressing it.
“I had asked him before if he would be comfortable if I slipped that in,” Bhogle wrote on X to a fan query.
“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 fine touch as he brought up his 52nd ODI century, his third at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. He opened his innings with a boundary off the very first delivery, and from there appeared at his fluent best, producing a series of elegant strokes around the ground. His second boundary came via a straight drive off Nandre Burger, followed by a lofted six straight down the ground.
The veteran batter then shifted gears, launching into a sequence of powerful blows. He stepped out to Ottneil Baartman and sent him soaring over long-off for a stunning six. Kohli brought up his 76th ODI fifty in 48 balls, reaching the milestone with another towering six over deep mid-wicket.
He also featured in a commanding 136-run stand off just 109 deliveries for the second wicket with Rohit Sharma, who struck 57 off 51 balls and, in the process, broke the world record for most sixes in ODI history. Kohli eventually raised his century off 102 balls, guiding Marco Jansen past third man for four as he continued to anchor India’s innings.
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