India’s players were full of admiration for Virat Kohli after his brilliant century guided the team to a 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. Kohli’s masterful 135 off 120 deliveries, his 52nd century in one-day internationals, laid the foundation for India’s solid start to the series. His teammates were full of praise for the former captain’s stellar knock, and Tilak Varma spoke about how it was a truly unforgettable moment to witness the former captain’s brilliance.

“We’ve witnessed another great innings. I’m really happy to have seen Virat bhai’s 100 live,” Tilak said.

“For the past 17 years, he has been incredible in every aspect of the game—batting, fielding, everything. He’s at the top of his game. I’ve learned so much from him, and it’s a real pleasure to watch him play. I’ll continue to talk to him and learn as much as I can. If I get the chance in the upcoming matches, I’ll try to apply what I’ve learned,” he added.

Kuldeep Yadav, who kickstarted his career under Kohli’s captaincy, shared that the innings brought back memories of the periods when Kohli was in top form and dominating the game.

“My career started under Virat bhai’s captaincy. Watching him bat, it felt like I had gone back to 8-9 years, witnessing the same aggressive form he had during those years, particularly in 2017, 2018, and 2019,” Kuldeep Yadav said.

“It was an excellent innings, and he looked really confident. Whatever shots he played, the ball was coming off the bat perfectly. It’s great to be around him and there’s so much to learn. Even in bowling, you get valuable inputs on what you can do better. Being with the senior players feels great. There’s a lot of energy and intensity in the team. As you’ve seen on the field, we’re fortunate to have that vibe,” he added.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stressed the importance of India setting a significant total, given that the pitch was likely to become more batting-friendly as the match went on.

“We knew the dew would be a factor, and the way the batters handled it, particularly Virat with his impressive century, was vital. He got us off to a strong start and finished well, helping us set a score higher than what you’d typically need on a wicket like this. It was a good effort,” he said.

Arshdeep Singh spoke about the importance of keeping the dressing room atmosphere light, even amidst the pressures of international cricket.

“Banter is something that comes naturally to me as a Punjabi. We try to have fun with each other and keep the team environment light and enjoyable, because, as you know, there’s always pressure in a match,” Arshdeep said.

“Everyone has expectations from you, but it’s also about how you enjoy the moment in those times. That’s what we try to focus on. I make an effort to help my teammates enjoy it as well, so they don’t feel too much pressure,” he added.