If there was ever a day to be an Indian cricket fan, this is it. The Raipur stadium erupted in joy today as the two modern-day legends of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, scripted history against South Africa in the 2nd ODI.
While the “Hitman” entered an elite club of legends, “King Kohli” did what he does best breaking records that seemed impossible a decade ago.
Here are the complete highlights of this record-breaking day.
King Kohli’s 53rd ODI Century: The G.O.A.T Debate is Over
It has been a long journey from his 49th to his 53rd, but Virat Kohli has finally silenced every critic. Walking in at number 3 after Shubman Gill’s early wicket, Kohli looked in supreme touch against the South African pace attack.
He reached his century in just 98 balls, smashing 8 fours and 2 glorious cover drives that reminded fans of the 2023 World Cup form.
Why is this century special?
- Number 53: He is now 4 centuries clear of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (49) in the ODI format.
- Chasing King: This was his 30th century in a successful run chase, cementing his legacy as the greatest chaser in the history of the game.
“I just wanted to stay till the end. Rohit gave us a flying start, and that made my job easier. This one is for the fans who never stopped believing,” – Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
Rohit Sharma Enters the 20,000 Runs Club
While Kohli stole the spotlight with his ton, Captain Rohit Sharma quietly achieved a massive milestone. With a quickfire 64 off 45 balls, Rohit Sharma became the 4th Indian batter to score 20,000 runs in International Cricket (combined Test, ODI, T20I).
He joins the legendary list comprising:
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Virat Kohli
- Rahul Dravid
- Rohit Sharma (The New Entrant)
Rohit’s innings set the tone for the chase. His pull shots against Marco Jansen were a treat to watch, proving that even in 2025, the “Hitman” show is far from over.
The “Ro-Ko” Partnership: Still Going Strong
The most emotional moment for fans was the 110-run partnership between Rohit and Virat. In an era where youngsters are taking over T20s, these two showed why they are still the bosses of the ODI format.
Their running between the wickets and the camaraderie showed that their bond has only grown stronger post the 2024 T20 World Cup retirement.
Social Media Reacts
Twitter (X) and Instagram are flooded with tributes. Here are some top reactions:
- @RaviShastriOfc: “Whatever he drinks, I want a sip! 53 and counting. The King rules. And class act by the Hitman!”
- @BCCI: “History rewritten in Raipur! 👑 + 🧢 = 🇮🇳 Win.”
What’s Next for Team India?
With this win, India has sealed the series 2-0 with one match to go. The team will now travel to Bengaluru for the final ODI. Fans will be hoping for another masterclass from the duo before they take a long break ahead of the New Zealand series in 2026.
What do you think? Can Virat Koh
