“I’m Still Getting Better”: Kohli’s Honest Message to Critics Wins the Internet

Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in the 50-over format, smashing an unbeaten 135 off 120 balls to anchor India to a challenging 349/8 against South Africa in the series opener at JSCA International Stadium Complex on Sunday, securing a tense 17-run victory that silenced whispers about his white-ball future. The 37-year-old's knock, laced with 11 boundaries and seven sixes, marked his 52nd ODI century—surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most tonnes in a single format—and his 83rd overall, underscoring his enduring dominance amid debates over selection for the 2027 World Cup. Batting first after South Africa won the toss, Kohli's composure turned the tide after an early stumble, blending vintage strokeplay with tactical nous on a batsman-friendly pitch where dew loomed large.

The innings began shakily with Yashasvi Jaiswal falling for 18 off 16 balls to Nandre Burger, but Kohli, promoted to No. 3, forged a commanding 136-run stand with captain Rohit Sharma (57 off 51, including five fours and three sixes) that injected momentum into the hosts' effort. Rohit, breaking Shahid Afridi's all-time ODI sixes record with his 352nd maximum, fell to Ottneil Baartman just as India threatened acceleration, triggering a middle-order wobble at 200/4 after quick dismissals of Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar (13). Kohli steadied the ship with a gritty 76-run alliance alongside KL Rahul (60 off 56), followed by a brisk 65-run cameo with Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 20), pushing the total beyond 340 despite Burger and Baartman claiming two wickets apiece.

In the chase, South Africa crumbled to 11/3 inside six overs, rocked by Harshit Rana's twin strikes—dismissing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton—before Arshdeep Singh removed Aiden Markram, setting a tone of dominance for India's attack. Tony de Zorzi (39 off 37) and Matthew Breetzke (72 off 80) stitched a 66-run recovery, with Dewald Brevis adding a lively 37 off 28, but the Proteas slipped to 130/5 as Kuldeep Yadav's spin wizardry dismantled the middle order. A thrilling 97-run surge between Breetzke and Marco Jansen (80 off 39, with seven fours and three sixes) revived hopes, only for Kuldeep to strike twice in three balls, leaving South Africa at 227/8.

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Corbin Bosch's defiant 67 off 51, featuring five fours and four sixes, nearly scripted an improbable heist, but Harshit Rana (3/65) and Kuldeep (4/45) held firm to bundle out South Africa for 332 in 49.2 overs. Kohli's Player of the Match performance not only handed India a 1-0 lead but also quashed narratives of form dips post his Test retirement, with the match's 681 combined runs etching it as the highest aggregate in India-South Africa ODI history.

Post-match, Kohli turned introspective, emphasising mental resilience over mechanical preparation in a BCCI social media clip that resonated widely. "For me, the core word is awareness—being aware of situations and your own feelings and thoughts when you succeed and when you fail, so that you try to be in the most central spot," he said, adding, "I have put in considerable work over the years... I am still looking to get better every day of my life." Dismissing calls for excessive domestic cricket, he affirmed, "I've never been a believer in a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard... visualisation takes care of the rest," a philosophy that propelled his evolution from aggressor to anchor.

As India eyes a series sweep in Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6, Kohli's Ranchi riposte reaffirms his blueprint for longevity: relentless self-improvement amid external noise. In a transitional era, his fire ensures the 2027 World Cup dream burns brighter, with Rohit's and Rahul's support underscoring a leadership core that's as unyielding as it is united.

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