India’s batting superstar Virat Kohli has hit another brilliant half-century and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s reaction immediately caught everyone’s attention. After scoring a brilliant 135 runs in the first ODI, Virat Kohli continued his great form in the second ODI against South Africa.
It was a bit full, and outside off, to South African bowler Ngidi’s off-stump delivery, and the flamboyant right-handed batsman played a clean drive to the sweeper cover region and scored a run to bring up his half-century at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Gautam Gambhir’s reaction on Virat Kohli’s fifty in Raipur ODI goes viral
After his half-century, the crowd in Raipur was loudly chanting “Kohli…Kohli…” while the scene inside the Indian dressing room during the ongoing second ODI against South Africa was also a sight to behold.
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A video of Gautam Gambhir clapping and smiling in the dressing room as Kohli raised his bat to celebrate his half-century went viral. This moment caught everyone’s attention, as there were rumors of tension between Gambhir and Kohli.
– Out of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) 3 December 2025
Ruturaj × Kohli’s show in Raipur…!! pic.twitter.com/2ZimImpxVF
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 3 December 2025
Gautam Gambhir praising Virat Kohli after his half centurypic.twitter.com/j996o8BEqw
– Vikas Kumar (@vkc1000) 3 December 2025
But the Indian head coach’s reaction in Raipur highlights his support and respect for Kohli.
Virat Kohli again created history with 76th ODI fifty in Raipur
This was Kohli’s 76th half-century in ODI cricket and he has completed 6500 runs at home in this format. The former Indian captain has been unbeaten in the format since retiring from Test cricket earlier this year. After winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Virat also retired from T20I cricket.
Kohli scored unbeaten 74 runs in 81 balls in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, played a tremendous inning of 135 runs in 120 balls in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi and now he is fast moving towards his century in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, 3 December.
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This sequence adds to an incredible record for the Indian superstar. Kohli now has 13 different sequences of three or more back-to-back 50+ scores in ODIs, the most by any player in this format. Rohit Sharma is second with 11 such streaks, and the great Sachin Tendulkar has 10.
Well, Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad have already put up a 160+ run partnership for the third wicket as India’s current score against South Africa in Raipur ODI is 221/2 in 32 overs.
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant confirm comeback in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Earlier, Virat Kohli confirmed to the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) that he will play the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. His decision comes after weeks of speculation, as the BCCI had asked both Kohli and Rohit Sharma to skip the tournament in order to remain in the race for ODI selection.
Soon after Kohli’s confirmation for the tournament, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant also informed the DDCA that he will be available for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Pant has not played List-A cricket for Delhi since 2018.
In his 19 matches for Delhi, the left-handed batsman has scored 531 runs at a strike rate of 109.48 with one century and two fifties. The upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy is all set to be the most talked-about tournament of the season as the 50-over competition will feature a host of international stars.