‘Virat Kohli is not travelling with Indian team’: Teammate’s massive claim amid South Africa ODIs

Virat Kohli’s stunning century in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi has taken fans by storm, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the secret behind his sublime form is preparation away from the national cricket team environment.

In the ongoing three-match ODI series opener against South Africa on November 30, Virat Kohli played a stunning knock of 135 off 120 balls, guiding India to a competitive 349/8. Later, Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul helped India beat the Proteas side by 17 runs in the final over.

Virat Kohli’s Ranchi heroics leave everyone awestruck

Since moving to the United Kingdom, Kohli has focused on individual training, working on his game far from the distractions and pressures of the Indian camp.

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Ahead of both the Australia tour and the ongoing home series against South Africa, most of Kohli’s preparation happened in England, with only final tune-ups with the team.

Read Also: "We have seen one of the best knocks” - Tilak Varma in awe of Virat Kohli's Ranchi ODI ton

Ashwin noted that the difference in Kohli’s preparation is visible in his performance. The former Indian all-rounder highlighted Kohli’s focused training, including exercises targeting his hip flexors, as a key factor in his revitalized game.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals the secret behind Virat Kohli's revival

Ravichandran Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel, “I feel that he is practicing away from the noise and is not travelling with the Indian team; because of that, wherever he is preparing, he is getting some good practice. I don't have 100 percent proof of it, but from what I have seen, he has worked on his hip flexors.”

Kohli’s innings in Ranchi reflected sheer joy and confidence, showing a player completely in his element, and Ashwin was amazed to see his intent, footwork, and overall joy while batting.

Ashwin explained, “What stood out was Virat Kohli's intent. We all know what kind of player Virat is, and he has nothing left to prove to anyone. The intent he showed and the happiness he had on his face—that was amazing to watch.

After a point, when there is nothing left to prove, it is all about the joy of the game. I also love that Virat emphasized that he played with complete joy, and that is the most important thing. Virat Kohli looked like he was in the zone.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin hails the blockbuster pitch as Ranchi returns with bang in ODIs

Meanwhile, Ranchi made a roaring comeback to international cricket, producing a blockbuster in its first ODI since 2022. The JSCA International Cricket Stadium offered a dream batting surface, and both teams piled up a massive 681 runs.

The pitch played a major role in the madness—true bounce, a lightning-fast outfield, and heavy evening dew made batting look effortless from start to finish. And Ashwin felt the pitch was a classic Indian bilateral ODI, where every ball carried excitement and every stroke brought the crowd to life.

Ashwin signed off by saying, “This game gave me the feel of that classic Indian ODI bilateral dhamaka pitch. This pitch, even when South Africa was batting till the end, remained the end. If you go into a batter's dream and ask him what kind of pitch he wants, he will take this pitch.”