India's ace batter Virat Kohli has found great form after two consecutive ducks in the Australia series. He made 74 in the third ODI and then carried his form into the three-match South Africa ODI series.

He seemed in great form as he reeled off 135 in India’s win in the 1st ODI in Ranchi and then made 102 in the second match in Raipur. Then in the third ODI, Kohli aced in the chase, smashing 65* in 45 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

Four wickets each by Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna helped India restrict South Africa to 270 despite Quinton de Kock’s 106 runs. India chased the total well and won the third ODI by 9 wickets in Vishakhapatnam, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 116, Rohit Sharma’s 75, and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten fifty.

While Yashasvi Jaiswal won the Player of the Match for his century, Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Series for his 302 runs in the three ODIs.

"Honestly, playing the way I have in the series is the most satisfying thing for me. I feel really free in my mind. I haven't played like this in 2-3 years. The whole game is coming together nicely. I've tried to maintain my own standards and make an impact. I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team a long way. Makes me confident; any situation in the middle, I can handle that and bring it in favor of the team,” Kohli told official broadcasters after winning the award.

According to Kohli, there have been numerous times throughout his lengthy and distinguished career when he has questioned his batting prowess, but he has never backed down from the challenge.

"When you play for that long—15-16 years—you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter, when one mistake can get you out. It's a whole journey of self-improvement and personal growth along the way. It improves you as a person, and it improves your temperament as well. I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team," Kohli said.

Kohli had hammered 12 sixes in three matches—the most—and in each of the ODIs, his strike rate was above 100.

"When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There are always levels you can unlock. The first one at Ranchi—because I hadn't played a game since Australia. Just how your energy is on the day, Ranchi is very special for me, and I'm very grateful for how these three games have gone,” Kohli stated.

The presenter, Murali Kartik, also asked Kohli about the mindset he and Rohit Sharma carry when coming into a match that is the decider of the series.

“It's always brought the best out of us over the years. That's what we play cricket for. You don't want it to be 1-1. But when it is 1-1, and it's a decider, you get excited. I want to make a play today. I want to make a dent in the game. And I want to do something special for the team. That's what we have always done over so many years. And that's why we have been able to play for so long. Because we have always been aligned with what the team needs. And what we can do with our skill sets according to the situation. And, just happy that both of us (Rohit and himself) continue to do so even now and help the team,” Kohli stated.

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