Virat Kohli Arrives Home to Join Indias Squad for South Africa Series

The Indian fans will finally have a moment of happiness, as Virat Kohli returns to the country. He has joined the Indian team for the preparations of the ODI series against South Africa, starting from 30 November. Kohli holds some terrific numbers against the Proteas, as he returns to action against them.

At the time when the Indian team is having a tough time in the Test format, the fans still have a moment of relief. Virat Kohli has joined the Indian team for the ODI series against South Africa, starting from 30 November. Both teams will be going against each other for a three match ODI series, as Kohli in the home games.

Virat played his last home game for India in the ODI series against England. Since then, he has not played a single international match in India, marking his absence for almost 8-9 months. Now with his return, fans hope it would be a moment to cherish for them, after watching the team's struggles in the Test format.

1. Virat Kohli’s Last ODI Series vs South Africa

Virat Kohli holds some terrific numbers in the ODI formats whenever he has gone against South Africa. But it has been a long time since he faced the Proteas in a home series in this format. He last went against South Africa during the 2023 World Cup, and ended up scoring a century against them, strengthening his

His last ODI series against South Africa came back in 2022, which was hosted by South Africa. This series might also be enough to remind the fans why India needs Virat Kohli for the 2027 World Cup. In the first ODI, Virat Kohli was able to score 51 runs for the team in the chase, but his knock was not strong enough to help India win the game.

Virat Kohli in SA Tour 2022:

• First ODI: 51 (63)
• Second ODI: 0 (5)
• Third ODI: 65 (84)

In the second ODI, Virat Kohli was not able to do his best, as he got dismissed for a duck. India also ended up losing this game along with the ODI series against South Africa with still one match remaining. Kohli decided to go all in for the final ODI match of the series, as he wanted to dominate the South African bowlers.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

India was able to bowl out South Africa for just 287 runs. Chasing the target of 288, Virat Kohli was the team's top run scorer, as he scored 65 runs before losing his wicket to Keshav Maharaj. Still, India fell down 4 runs short in this chase, as South Africa was able to secure a whitewash over the Indian team. Virat Kohli showcased his consistency against the Proteas with two half-centuries in three games.

2. Kohli's Heroic Numbers vs SA

Virat Kohli has been a nightmare for South Africa in the ODI format. He might not have great numbers against them in the other two formats of the game, but ODI seems to be his favourite format where he has dominated against every possible nation. Against South Africa, Virat Kohli has managed to bring 13 50+ scores in the ODI format.

Virat Kohli vs South Africa in ODIs:

• Innings: 29
• Not Out: 6
• Runs: 1504
• Average: 65.39
• Strike Rate: 85.74
• 100s: 5
• 50s: 8

Such stats, having played just 29 innings against them shows his dominance. The performances shown by Kohli during the India tour of South Africa 2018 can never be forgotten by any Indian fan. At that time, Virat Kohli was setting the benchmark for the future Indian players for them to dominate in overseas conditions, such as South Africa.

3. Comeback in Sydney Game

Virat Kohli made his comeback to the ODI format after seven months in the ODI series against Australia. He started off the India tour of Australia from 19 October, and both teams went against each other for a three-match ODI series. Kohli was unable to give his best to the team in the first two games, as he got out for

But in the last ODI of the series, he showed that form may be temporary, but class is permanent. He ended up scoring 74 runs in just 81 balls during the chase, which powered the Indian team to a win by 9 wickets. This shows that Virat Kohli has marked his comeback to the ODI format, and now waits for the home series against South Africa.