South Africa's nightmare? Virat Kohli's record says it all ahead of Ranchi ODI

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli is set to return to action when India take on South Africa in the opening ODI at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. The three-match series runs from December 1 to December 6, and the 36-year-old will be eager to build on the form he rediscovered during the ODI leg of the Australia tour — a phase that began with back-to-back ducks but ended with a composed 74* in a match-winning stand alongside Rohit Sharma.




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Kohli’s numbers against South Africa underline his impact in this rivalry. He has scored 1,504 runs in 31 ODIs at an outstanding average of 65.39, featuring five centuries and eight half-centuries, including a highest score of 160*.




Only Jacques Kallis (1,535) and Sachin Tendulkar (2,001) have scored more runs in India–South Africa ODIs.


Ranchi, too, has been a happy hunting ground for Kohli.


In five matches at the venue, he has piled up 384 runs in just four innings at an astonishing average of 192.00, including two centuries and a fifty.

Virat Kohli vs South Africa in ODIs

His last ODI outing here was a memorable one — a breathtaking 123 off 95 balls against Australia while chasing 314, even as no other Indian batter crossed 40.


The match also brings a major milestone into view.


Kohli is just 337 runs away from the 28,000-run landmark in international cricket.


Should he get there this series, he will join only Kumar Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar in the elite club.


At present, Kohli sits at 27,673 runs from 553 matches at an average of 52.21, with 82 centuries, 144 half-centuries and a top score of 254*.


In 2025, Kohli has scored 349 runs from 10 ODIs at an average of 43.62, including one century and three fifties.



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