Ranchi, Nov 30 (NationPress) The crowd at the JSCA International Stadium Complex erupted in celebration as Virat Kohli achieved his 52nd ODI century during the inaugural ODI against South Africa in a three-match series on Sunday.

Competing at the home turf of cricket icon and his close friend, MS Dhoni, referred to as ‘Dhoni land’ by Ravi Shastri before the match, Kohli spearheaded the batting effort, transforming his first ODI appearance in India in almost 10 months into a festive occasion.

Facing the Proteas, Kohli smoothly transitioned to a fifty before advancing to his 83rd international century, silencing all his critics in the process.

Kohli entered the crease sooner than India might have preferred, yet what ensued was a brilliant performance that altered the rhythm of the innings. Coming in after Yashasvi Jaiswal's exit, Kohli quickly took control, showcasing the clarity and authority that had been absent from his recent performances.

He was instrumental in a 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, setting the tone with sharp boundaries and powerfully struck sixes that propelled India into a dominant position.

Even after Rohit’s dismissal, Kohli maintained his momentum. He continued to bat with a fluency reminiscent of his prime years, ultimately reaching a well-crafted century, which carries additional significance given the recent scrutiny surrounding his form.

This century, marking his first ODI ton on Indian soil in 746 days, symbolizes a noteworthy comeback. His last home century was in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, where he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to achieve a record of 50 ODI centuries.

Now at 37 and having stepped back from Test and T20 formats, Kohli appears fully capable of leading India’s one-day aspirations. If this innings is any indication, his impact on the team, including the potential for the 2027 World Cup, remains robust.

Kohli’s prowess against South Africa in ODIs shows no signs of waning. His latest century, the sixth of his ODI career against the Proteas, adds another dimension to a long-standing rivalry, further solidifying his status as the Indian player with the most centuries against them.

This milestone also marks his second international century of the year, following his performance against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. For a player who has faced numerous questions about his form and longevity over the past year, Kohli’s statistics continue to provide emphatic responses.

Kohli’s commanding innings not only stabilized India’s total but elevated him to another level of batting excellence. His latest century not only bolstered his reputation as one of cricket's modern greats but also carried significant historical importance.

Reaching his 52nd ton in this format, he surpassed one of Tendulkar’s most significant records, becoming the player with the highest number of hundreds in a single format. It was a moment that felt both inevitable and extraordinary, an achievement that adds further luster to a career already filled with milestones.

The stalwart concluded his innings with a remarkable score of 135 off 120 balls, featuring 11 fours and 7 sixes.