• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Virat Kohli Arrives In Ranchi Ahead Of Three Match Odi Series Against South Africa

Virat Kohli arrives in Ranchi ahead of three-match ODI series against South Africa

Kaushik Kashyap

Virat Kohli reached Ranchi. [Source - @_.virat.kohli.crew/instagram]Virat Kohli reached Ranchi. [Source - @_.virat.kohli.crew/instagram]

Virat Kohli touched down in Ranchi on Wednesday morning as India gear up for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to begin on 30 November at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. The Indian superstar was warmly received at the Ranchi airport by Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Saurabh Tiwary, his former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate.

Kohli had previously landed in Mumbai on Tuesday, where he also enjoyed a cheerful welcome from the media before making his way to Ranchi for the ODI leg of the season.

A warm welcome as Kohli returns to one of his favourite venues

For Kohli, Ranchi remains a venue filled with fond memories. In just four ODI innings, he boasts an average of 192, including two centuries and a half-century, making the stadium one of his most prolific grounds. Now, he returns to the venue for the first time since 2019 for an ODI fixture, greeted with a warm reception, as seen in a video posted by Press Trust of India.

The city last hosted an ODI in 2022, coincidentally against South Africa, where India outplayed the visitors. However, Kohli’s last appearance at the venue came in 2019 against Australia, a match in which he scored a commanding century before the 2019 World Cup.

His return has now naturally sparked excitement among fans as the series holds a lot of significance for the 37-year-old as he arrives in good rhythm, coming off an unbeaten 74 in India’s recent ODI outing in Australia at Sydney. With his strong past record in Ranchi, the veteran batter will look to carry forward that momentum.

For India, the ODI series also presents a chance for redemption. After losing the ODI series in Australia and enduring a crushing Test series defeat at home, a rare low in Indian cricket, the team will hope to reset against the Proteas. Ranchi, which has hosted six ODIs since 2013, has seen India win three, lose two, with one game ending in no result. The Men in Blue will be eager to tilt that balance further in their favour starting Sunday.