Virat Kohli’s 52nd ODI set in Ranchi didn’t just lift India in the series opener – it triggered a flood of reactions from former cricketers and fans who were quick to salute the knock that felt unmistakably vintage.
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Aakash Chopra summed up the mood with a famous line: “Form is temporary, Kohli is permanent.“It was a neat reflection of Kohli once again producing a high-quality innings just when India needed him to anchor the effort. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the intent behind the knock, noting that Kohli’s aggression was shaped by how South Africa set their fields. “His message was clear: you cannot dictate the conditions to your field that defined the effort that defined your field1,2, smartly.
Shreevats Goswami added another point of view, marveled at it Kohli’s continued fitness and sharpness at this stage of his career. “How can this man stay so fit and hungry after running even now?” he asked, echoing the question of many spectators as Kohli sprinted between the wickets and controlled the pace.
Once the former players weighed in, the fans took over. The celebrations, the roar, the familiar intensity – every aspect of Kohli’s hundred became a topic online. One fan called him “the undisputed GOAT of the format,” while others focused on the emotion of the moment, calling it pure “royal energy.” Supporters also loved the symbolism of Kohli reaching his third ODI hundred in MS Dhoni’s hometown, with many describing it as the perfect blend of class and legacy.
Several fans tried to sum up Kohli’s all-round impact, with one post summing up the sentiment best:
“Some have stats. Some have impact. Some are clutch. Some are just everything. That’s Virat Kohli.”
Reactions across the board reflected how the innings felt – a seasoned player who read the conditions, pushed through calmly, broke the shackles at the right time and finished with a controlled hundred built on seven boundaries, five sixes and calm decision-making despite the stadium hanging on every ball.
Kohli did not reach the milestone only in Ranchi. He reminded people why his milestones still mean so much.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
November 30, 2025
