Follow UsVirat Kohli smashed two centuries and a fifty in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa. He slammed 302 in the series at a strike rate of 117.05, earning him the Player of the Series.
Having retired from Tests and T20 Internationals (T20I), Kohli plays only ODIs for India with one eye on the World Cup in 2027. He now has four 50-plus scores in his last four innings and says that he has not played with such a free mind in the last few years.
"Playing the way I have in the series is the most satisfying thing for me. I feel really free in my mind. I haven't played like this in 2-3 years," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
"I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team a long way. Makes me confident, any situation in the middle, I can handle that and bring it in favour of the team. When you play for that long - 15-16 years, you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter, when one mistake can get you out. It's a whole journey of getting better and getting better as a person along the way.
"It improves you as a person and it improves temperament as well. I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team."
Kohli slammed 135 in the first ODI in Ranchi and followed that up with 102 in Raipur. In the series decider in Visakhapatnam, the batter slammed an unbeaten 65 off just 45 deliveries to help India to a comfortable nine-wicket victory with over 10 overs to spare.
India will next be in action in the five-match T20I series, starting December 9 in Cuttack. However, Kohli will next be seen for India in January, when India host New Zealand in an ODI series.