### Virat Kohli's Resurgence: A Stellar Performance in the ODI Series Against South Africa Virat Kohli has made headlines with his remarkable performance in the recent ODI series against South Africa, where he scored a total of **302 runs** across three matches, including two centuries and a fifty. This performance not only led India to a **2-1 series victory** but also earned him the **Player of the Series** award, marking his **20th** such accolade. Kohli expressed that he felt "free" and had not played at this level for the past two to three years, indicating a significant personal and professional resurgence in his cricketing career [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/haven-t-played-at-this-level-for-2-3-years-virat-kohli/story][https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-south-africa-3rd-odi-2025-virat-kohli-player-of-the-match-visakhapatnam]. ### Breakdown of Kohli's Performance and Impact 1. **Series Overview**: - Kohli scored **135**, **102**, and **65*** in the three ODIs, showcasing his ability to dominate the South African bowling attack [https://www.sportsyaari.com/cricket/from-comeback-to-record-breaker-virat-kohlis-incredible-odi-series-vs-south-africa-9931]. - His average for the series was an impressive **151** [https://www.indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-india-south-africa-player-of-the-series-gautam-gambhir-10406508]. 2. **Milestones Achieved**: - Kohli's performance included a personal best of **12 sixes** in the series, further solidifying his status as a formidable ODI batsman [https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-south-africa/virat-kohli-unlocks-new-level-star-india-batter-betters-this-record-in-odis-against-sa/articleshow/125817948.cms]. - He has now scored **53 ODI centuries**, the most by any player in this format, surpassing records previously held by legends like Sachin Tendulkar [https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-creates-history-breaks-another-sachin-tendulkar-world-record-to-become-player-with-most-odi-centuries-at-a-batting-position-in-single-format-article-153241263]. 3. **Kohli's Reflections**: - After the series, Kohli reflected on his performance, stating that he felt liberated and that everything was coming together nicely for him [https://www.sportsyaari.com/cricket/virat-kohli-reflects-on-form-resurgence-after-player-of-the-series-show-everything-is-coming-together-nicely-9907]. - He acknowledged that this series was the most satisfying in years, indicating a return to form that fans and analysts have eagerly anticipated [https://www.geo.tv/latest/637811-kohli-credits-most-satisfying-series-as-he-rediscovers-his-best-form-in-years]. ### Statistical Highlights of Kohli's Series Performance - **Total Runs**: **302** - **Centuries**: **2** - **Fifties**: **1** - **Average**: **151** - **Sixes**: **12** - **Player of the Series Awards**: **20** [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-south-africa-3-centuries-in-7-matches-virat-kohlis-staggering-record-in-vizag-article-153253278][https://www.espn.ph/cricket/story/_/id/47223086/virat-kohli-says-not-played-level-two-three-years]. ### Conclusion: Kohli's Impact on Indian Cricket In summary, **Virat Kohli's exceptional performance in the ODI series against South Africa** has not only reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history but also highlighted his potential for further achievements as he continues to break records. His ability to score runs consistently, coupled with a liberated mindset, suggests that he is poised for a strong finish to his career, potentially eyeing even more milestones in the future. 1. Kohli's resurgence is marked by a return to form after a challenging period. 2. His performance has significant implications for India's cricketing success and his legacy. 3. The series win against South Africa is a testament to Kohli's enduring talent and determination [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/kohli-breaks-down-batting-masterclass-against-south-africa].