In this Special Report, India Today's Consulting Editor (Sports) Nikhil Naaz reports on Virat Kohli's record-breaking 53rd ODI century against South Africa in Raipur. Kohli, scoring his 84th international hundred, built a match-winning partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who registered his maiden ODI ton. Naaz highlights Kohli's 'unbelievable' consistency and addresses speculations about his Test return. Quoting Kohli, Naaz confirms the star batter's decision to stick to one format: 'I'm focusing on the ODI format, that's the only format that I continue to play.' The report analyzes how the duo rescued India from a precarious 60 for 2 to dominate the 2nd ODI.
00:00Okay, we are breaking a big news now. It seems Virat Kohli has hit another century.
00:06So this is the 84th international century for King Kohli.
00:11Virat Kohli has scored another ton and this is against South Africa, the ODI series that's currently underway.
00:19Now this is a record, 53rd ODI century for Virat Kohli.
00:25Extremely important as he is breaking records.
00:28Virat Kohli's astonishing ODI form continues amidst speculations as to what is going to happen as he continues to display amazing form.
00:39Joining us live now is India Today's Nikhil Nas. Nikhil, another century.
00:44Well Anjali, what can I say? What we are witnessing is unbelievable.
00:48And that's not me talking about Virat Kohli getting 100 because that's pretty normal.
00:53The fact that here's a player who only plays one format in international cricket is getting hundreds at this consistency is a testament to the fact of how great or what a big player Virat Kohli is in the world of cricket.
01:07Absolutely incredible knock. Must remember that this wasn't an easy pitch to bat on to begin with.
01:13We saw India lose two very early wickets. There were 60 for two.
01:17From there on that partnership between Dhritaraj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli is 100 apart but has also taken India in a very healthy position in this game.
01:25Something that he's been doing for more than a decade and a half for Indian cricket.
01:30So absolutely incredible what he's been able to achieve. He's made it very clear.
01:34I know there'll be lots of fans now saying that look at his form. How good is he batting?
01:39Maybe time for him to reconsider. Get back into test cricket. Those sort of conversations will start.
01:44But let me make it very clear. Just the last match. That's about three days ago.
01:48He had got 100 and he was asked this particular question that now you're in such a good form.
01:53Why don't you reconsider? Get back into test cricket. He made it very clear.
01:56No, that's not what I'm doing. I'm focusing on the ODI format. That's the only format that I'll continue to play.
02:02And look how well he is playing at the moment.
02:04Ably assisted there, I must say, by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Remember, he also is just playing his eighth ODI.
02:11For him also, it's been a stop-start sort of an international career.
02:15Played that first ODI almost three years ago. And in that three-year period, has only gotten a chance to play eight ODIs.
02:21So it was a very crucial game for him as well. And he's notched up 100.
02:24Now, in fact, has the highest list day average in the history of cricket.
02:30That is Ruturaj Gaikwad. So it's an incredible day for the Indian team.
02:33But you must also remember, job is only half done. We're at the halfway mark.
02:37We hope that this brings us a victory as well. Thank you, Nikhil, for all those details.
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