IND vs SA | Twitter in awe as King Kohli rolls back clock with exquisite spree of drives in Ranchi

Gantavya Adukia

ByGantavya Adukia,SportsCafe Editor

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It is like he never left his prime. Virat Kohli walked out in a mood in Ranchi on Sunday after India lost a wicket early and treated the spectators to the best version of himself as he sprayed around South Africa's quicks for fun with shots worthy of every highlight reel worth its salt.

Virat Kohli had a steely look in his eyes as he walked out to bat for India against South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi

India lost the toss in the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Comple on Sunday and were asked to bat first on a true batting surface with runs waiting to be scored. Yashasvi Jaiswal took to the opportunity with a first ball four but a pearler from Nandre Burger early ended his stay after just 16 deliveries, amidst raucuous cheers in anticipation of who was to follow. Virat Kohli returned in Indian colours at home soil after nine long months, in his favourite format and the only one on which he still represents the Men in Blue, with a purpose and a vengeance. All the Proteas could do was look.

Kohli's knock began ominously after being squared up first-ball by Nandre Burger, only for the thick outside edge to fly through the empty gully region for four. That was the first and last good look the Proteas had as the veteran quickly assumed control of proceedings thereafter before bursting to life in the sixth over. Burger made the rookie mistake of going too full and straight to Kohli, and the talisman duly obliged with the highest of elbows and straightest of bats to gently caress the ball down the ground for a racing boundary. Burger responded by placing the towering Marco Jansen at silly mid-off to protect the region but it only urged Kohli to improvise. Burger went full and slightly wide again in the next over and this time Kohli planted his front foot hard before one clean swing through the line saw the ball meet the mead of the willow and go soaring rows back for the talisman's first maximum of the evening. Burger went wider to hide, but this time Kohli bent down low and sent a square drive sprawling between the fielders for another boundary. Yet, the best was yet to come, as Ottniel Bartmaan found out in the next over. Bowling his first, the quick stuck to a length, and Kohli took two sighters before prancing down the ground and with utmost elegance sent the ball on its way for a gorgeous maximum, bringing Ranchi to its feet.

Cricket Twitterati could not have asked for more on the day.

Pure Class

Stunning Strike

Batting Legends

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Elegant Shot

Six Sensation

Shot!!

Classic!

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