Page 32 - The Indian EYE 121225

STUMP VISION DECEMBER 12, 2025 | The Indian Eye 32

VIRAT KOHLI

A Great Once More Reminds Cricket

Why Legends Never Fade

Kohli’s back-to-back centuries and fierce celebrations have turned the spotlight firmly back on

his enduring greatness, with former teammates insisting the batting icon is not just answering

critics — he is reminding the game of the standard only he can set

OUR BUREAU bowling lapses cost India a match
they should have defended. Harbha-
Ranchi / Raipur
jan admitted as much.
irat Kohli’s resurgence in the “I thought India should have
ongoing ODI series against scored 380. But even 358 should have
VSouth Africa has sparked been defended. We lagged behind in
not just delight among fans but also our bowling,” he said.
introspection within Indian cricket South Africa chased down the
circles. Two centuries in two match- 359-run target with four balls to
es, animated celebrations and a spare, powered by Aiden Markram’s
renewed intensity have led former 110, Matthew Breetzke’s 68 and De-
teammates Ravichandran Ashwin wald Brevis’s quickfire 54. India’s at-
and Harbhajan Singh to declare that tack, led by Arshdeep Singh (2/54),
the 37-year-old has taken the recent struggled in dewy conditions.
chatter around his future “to heart” The bowling failure has only
— and is responding in the only way magnified Kohli’s contribution.
he knows. While the match slipped away, his
Speaking on his YouTube chan- composed century — marked by
nel, Ashwin said Kohli’s aggressive crisp strokeplay and bursts of emo-
celebrations were not random out- tional celebration — became the
bursts but emotional responses from talking point of the evening.
someone who has heard doubts Ashwin said the celebrations re-
about his longevity and relevance. flect an athlete reclaiming ownership
“Why is Virat celebrating like of his story. “He must be thinking: I
that? What has he gone through?” will show them now. I have got it in
Ashwin asked. “Let’s not forget that Virat Kohli raises his bat as he celebrates his century during the second one-day international me,” Ashwin noted.
Virat left Test cricket. There was Kohli’s return to white-ball
chatter around his lack of runs in match against South Africa at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, in Raipur on dominance also comes after a shaky
Tests… To leave the sport is a big de- Wednesday (@BCCI X/ANI Photo) restart to international cricket fol-
cision.” lowing the Champions Trophy. He
According to Ashwin, Kohli’s Ashwin added. point your finger at Virat Kohli and registered two consecutive ducks in
decision to play the Vijay Hazare Kohli’s numbers underline that say there is no place for him, then Australia before striking an unbeat-
Trophy, beginning December 24, revival. In 12 ODIs this year, he has brother — what are you doing?” en 74 in Sydney and following it up
signalled ongoing communication scored 586 runs at an average of 58.60 Harbhajan also lavished praise with two successive centuries against
between him and team manage- with three centuries. In this South on Ruturaj Gaikwad, who struck a South Africa.
ment — and revealed his determina- Africa series alone, he has piled up fluent 105 in the second ODI and The stage is now set for Satur-
tion to reclaim his narrative. “Virat 237 runs at a staggering average of stitched a record 195-run partner- day’s decider in Visakhapatnam — a
must have thought, are these people 118.50 and a strike rate above 111 — ship with Kohli. “Ruturaj is brilliant. venue where Kohli’s record borders
doubting me? Doubting my ability? putting him in pole position for Play- He arrived a bit late, did not get on the extraordinary. In seven in-
He must have taken it to heart. Now er of the Series. enough opportunities, but now he is nings, he has scored 587 runs at an
he is telling you: you doubted me? I Harbhajan Singh, meanwhile, not letting go. The way he changed average of 97.83, including three
have shown what I can do,” Ashwin took a sharper tone in defence of gears after fifty — class,” Harbhajan hundreds and two fifties, with a best
said. Kohli, hitting out at those who talk said. of 157*.
Kohli’s technical adjustments of “transition” and suggest moving That partnership is now India’s With the series locked 1–1, India
have also impressed the senior spin- beyond the veteran. “People are highest for any wicket against South will look to their resurgent icon once
ner. “His centre of gravity is much writing him off, saying new players Africa in men’s ODIs, surpassing the again. And as Ashwin and Harbhajan
lower than in the last couple of should come in,” Harbhajan said. 194-run stand between Sachin Ten- both suggest, Virat Kohli appears in
years… crucial in timing and pick- “You don’t have such a fit player dulkar and Dinesh Karthik in 2010. no mood to let anyone forget who he
ing length. He looks in good space,” among your newcomers. If you can But even as the batting fired, is — or why he still matters.

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