Kohli lights up Raipur: Antics, runs and rivalry fuel India–South Africa thriller
Raipur – Virat Kohli turned the Raipur ODI into pure theatre on Wednesday. India lost a high-scoring match, yet Kohli stole the spotlight with both his batting and his mischief. His gesture toward South Africa captain Temba Bavuma dominated social media and added a twist to an already tense contest.
To begin with, the moment unfolded in the fifth over of South Africa’s chase. Arshdeep Singh struck early and removed Quinton de Kock. As Bavuma walked in, Kohli tried to unsettle him. He danced, laughed and performed the “Babaji ka thullu” gesture. Fans instantly picked it up online. The clip spread across platforms within minutes and sparked thousands of reactions. Many called it vintage Kohli—cheeky, confident and completely immersed in the contest.
Earlier in the evening, Kohli entertained with the bat as well. He attacked the bowlers, built his innings with control and reached his second straight century of the series. Last Sunday in Ranchi, he hammered 135 and helped India win. In Raipur, he scored another hundred—his 53rd in ODIs—in just 90 balls. He struck two sixes and seven boundaries. More importantly, he stitched a massive 195-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad also reached his first ODI century, hitting cleanly and timing the ball beautifully.
India looked in command at 358. The crowd believed the total would put pressure on the South African lineup. However, the game shifted quickly once South Africa began their chase. Aiden Markram anchored the innings with authority. He kept the scoreboard moving, punished loose balls and built steady partnerships. First, he settled with Bavuma. Then he joined hands with Matthew Breetzke. When the pressure rose, Dewald Brevis walked in and played freely. His quick fifty tilted the match in South Africa’s favour.
As the overs progressed, India lost control. The bowlers searched for breakthroughs, yet South Africa stayed calm. Markram completed his fourth ODI hundred and guided the chase with precision. The visitors crossed the target with four wickets in hand. They also achieved their third-highest successful chase in ODI history, which added weight to their performance.
Although Kohli’s effort went in vain, fans appreciated the energy he brought to the field. His celebrations, mannerisms, aggression and humour created unforgettable moments. The Bavuma incident especially dominated discussions, with many calling it one of the highlights of the match. It reminded viewers of Kohli’s ability to lift the atmosphere even in difficult moments.
Now the series stands level at 1–1. Both teams travel to Visakhapatnam for the decider on Saturday. India will look to sharpen their bowling, while South Africa will aim to continue their confident approach.
The Raipur clash offered laughter, drama, milestones and rivalry. Kohli led the charge, both with his bat and his personality. Fans now wait for the final match, hoping for another thrilling chapter in this hard-fought series.
