The JSCA International Stadium complex in Ranchi witnessed pure drama and emotion as Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century in the opening match of the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa.
As soon as Virat Kohli reached the triple figure with a four, the crowd at the JSCA International Stadium Complex went into celebration, but a young fan took the excitement to another level.
There was a stir in Ranchi when a fan broke the security and tried to touch the feet of Virat Kohli after his brilliant century.
As the crowd roared, the fan burst past the security cordon, ran onto the pitch and knelt down to touch Kohli’s feet with devotion. The former Indian captain was stunned for a moment and reacted with complete decorum.
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He gently helped the young supporter to his feet and asked the security team to take him out safely without causing any harm. There was huge enthusiasm in the audience gallery at this heart-touching gesture.
Moments later, KL Rahul went up to Kohli and congratulated him for his wonderful achievement. Kohli silently looked up, thanked God and then picked up the bat as play began.
Earlier, in his trademark style, the flamboyant right-hander leapt into the air with a fist pump. He then kissed his wedding ring to remember his wife Anushka Sharma on reaching this milestone.
Leap of joy
Completely entertaining innings from Virat Kohli
Update https://t.co/MdXtGgRkPo#TeamIndia , #INDvSA , @IDFCFIRSTBANK , @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/llLByyGHe5
– BCCI (@BCCI) 30 November 2025
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 30 November 2025
100 for Virat Kohli. Century number 52 for King.
Fan on the field. Complete drama. check it out here pic.twitter.com/me01FrraAp– Faiyaz (@faiyazwhat) 30 November 2025
Ryan Rickelton’s brilliant catch ends Virat Kohli’s Ranchi masterclass
Meanwhile, after facing back-to-back wides in the 43rd over, Nandre Berger took a brilliant catch of Ryan Rickelton to end Kohli’s brilliant innings in Ranchi. Kohli came out and tried to hit a bouncer on Berger’s slower ball, but it hit the lower part of his bat.
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But it ended in a bounce towards long-off. And Rickelton ran back about 10-15 yards from the cover area, kept track of the ball, caught it cleanly over his shoulder and fell to the ground completing the catch. This was the end of a brilliant innings from the Indian batsman.
As soon as Kohli returned after scoring a brilliant 135 off 120 balls against South Africa with the help of eleven fours and seven sixes, he waved his bat towards the Ranchi crowd, who gave him a standing ovation. Some people also wondered whether this could be Virat’s last international match on this ground.
Virat Kohli’s ODI stats in Ranchi
Well, Kohli continued his love affair with Ranchi by adding another brilliant inning to his ODI record at the JSCA International Stadium. Over the years, the former Indian captain has performed consistently at the position, starting with his unbeaten 77 against England in 2013, followed by a smashing 139* against Sri Lanka in 2014.
Kohli had also scored 45 against New Zealand in 2016 and returned with a brilliant 123 against Australia at the same venue in 2019. And now his latest masterclass of 135 against South Africa has taken Kohli’s total ODI run tally to a remarkable 519 runs in Ranchi. Now his average on this ground is 173 with a strike rate of 110.19.
