Virat Kohli Springs In Delight, Thanks The Heavens As He Brings Up 83rd International Hundred | Watch

Ace India batter Virat Kohli leapt in joy and thanked the heavens as he brought up his 52nd ODI hundred, his 83rd in international cricket, against South Africa on Sunday, November 30, in Ranchi.

Kohli, who celebrated his 37th birthday earlier this month, dominated the Protea bowlers and sent them on a leather hunt. It was his best display at the crease since the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Kohli walked out in the third over after

Nandre Burger dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. From the very first delivery, he signalled his intent, nudging a lucky boundary past third man and never looking back from there.

Kohli, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in his sights, stepped out and cleared the ropes, doing it twice against Burger and Ottneil Baartman in the powerplay,

thrilling the Ranchi crowd.

Kohli, often criticised for losing momentum in the middle overs, kept up a brisk pace, finding the boundary at regular intervals. He also stitched a 136-run second-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma.

After reaching his hundred with a four, Kohli leapt in joy, letting out a triumphant roar as the Ranchi crowd erupted. True to tradition, he also kissed his cherished wedding ring, which he wears around his neck.

Watch the video here:

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

This hundred extended Kohli’s love affair with Ranchi, marking his third ODI century at the venue. He has a half-century here as well, in the hometown of legendary India captain MS Dhoni.

Kohli, who retired from Tests earlier this year, returned to international cricket in October during the three ODIs against Australia. After successive ducks in the first two matches, he regained his form in the final ODI in Sydney, scoring an unbeaten 74 and sharing a 168-run stand with Rohit.