IND vs SA: “Why is Virat Kohli celebrating like that?”- Ravi Ashwin links batter's over the top century festivities with his test retirement

Virat Kohli has made 135 and 102 in two ODIs against South Africa with one more ODI to go.

Virat Kohli’s recent impassioned celebrations on the field have led former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to speculate that the player may be back to his 2016 peak. In addition to winning the ODI series and batting convincingly, India have also seen their top batsman regain some formidable scoring ability.

In the two ODI games of this series, Kohli scored consecutive hundreds. His maiden hundred in Ranchi signalled his comeback hundred, while his second in Raipur demonstrated his amazing touch and resolve to dominate in the only format of international cricket that he prioritises.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a former spinner for India, observed both festivities and questioned whether they had anything to do with Kohli’s decision to retire from test cricket.

Virat Kohli is celebrating his hundreds with gusto to remind people not to doubt him – Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin asked a straightforward question on his YouTube channel: Was Virat celebrating his hundreds so fervently to reassure people that they shouldn’t have doubted him?

“Why is Virat celebrating like that? What is he thinking, and what has he gone through? Let us not forget that Virat left Test cricket. Both events felt very synchronous. He loved Test cricket and always wanted to play, but he stepped away because the situation was not only about what he wanted.

There was chatter around him and questions about his lack of runs in tests, and we do not truly know what he was dealing with. Leaving the sport in any capacity is a major decision,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.

Virat Kohli made 135 in India’s win in the first ODI in Ranchi and then scored 102 runs in the second game, which India lost in Raipur.

Virat Kohli took things personally when people questioned his ability and commitment: Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin contended that this impatience could account for Kohli’s ferocious roars every time he scored a century, as if he wanted the proper people to hear his jubilation.

“He must have taken it personally that people were doubting his skill and ability, and that he felt the need to show everyone what he is still capable of. Sometimes, when you are desperate to prove yourself, you can get out, and perhaps that happened to Virat in the past. But now he seems to be saying that if you doubted me, here is the proof of what I can still do. He looks in a good mental space. His center of gravity is much lower than it had been over the last couple of years, which is a crucial element in timing the ball well and judging the length early,” Ashwin concluded.

Since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Virat Kohli has been India’s top ODI performer. He has demonstrated his prowess in the format by scoring 311 runs at an average of 77.

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