Indian batsman Virat Kohli got excited as he ran to meet his former RCB teammates in South Africa. Former South African legend Dale Steyn was seen with Quinton de Kock at the team hotel in Visakhapatnam and Kohli came to welcome him.
India is currently hosting South African cricketers for a lengthy series that includes a month-long cricket competition across several cities in this vast country. The first two matches were played in a red-ball series, followed by a three-match ODI series.
The series marks the return of India great Virat Kohli to competitive international cricket on home soil, having last played a final for RCB in the country in June. Kohli, who is in good form, looked in a happy mood on the eve of the decider in Visakhapatnam.
Virat Kohli welcomed South African players at the team hotel
The Indian and South African players returned to the team hotel after their optional session a day before the series decider. ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
As Virat Kohli reached the cafeteria area of the hotel, he met former teammates Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn. The current South African wicketkeeper batsman and former Protea fast bowler were both Kohli’s teammates at RCB.
Kohli approached both the South African cricketers and welcomed them with a big smile and a warm hug. Dale Steyn took charge of the veteran, while QDK was also happy to meet his former dressing room partner.
Virat Kohli having fun with SA team in team hotel pic.twitter.com/ju91HyDgzW
– Dive (@crickohlic) 6 December 2025
Quinton de Kock announces his return to India with his seventh century
Quinton de Kock retired from white-ball formats as he returned to international cricket in the series against Pakistan last month. He played T20I and ODI matches for them in the series and also scored a century on his comeback.
De Kock came to India in great form, with two half-centuries and a century in the three-match series. However, he missed runs in the first two matches of the series as he succumbed to the added pressure of chasing the huge target.
The left-handed batsman came back with some swag and thrashed the Indian bowlers to register his 7th century against India. He overtook former Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya by scoring 7 centuries in 23 innings.
Who can QDK target in the IPL mini-auction?
Quinton de Kock did not have a good season with Kolkata Knight Riders last season, barring a 97* before the series, and hence he was released ahead of the mini-auction. But with his return to international cricket, his form has certainly gone up, and he might be endorsing the contract this time too.
Mumbai Indians could be one of the teams that is interested in having a wicket-keeping opener in the team, and they could bet on their former player. However, MI has a very limited purse and may only get a chance if QDK goes down to its base price.
Apart from Mumbai Indians, other franchises like Delhi Capitals are also looking for an opening batsman, while teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad may see De Kock as a suitable number. In their favor 3.
Also read: Virat Kohli’s swag walk after Temba Bavuma’s catch gives rise to claims of cruel joke
