The opening ODI between India and South Africa in Ranchi turned into a memorable yet dramatic evening. Virat Kohli not only produced one of his finest innings on home soil, but the match also witnessed a major security breach that stunned players, officials, and fans.
Kohli smashed a magnificent 135 off 120 balls, marking his 52nd ODI century and his 83rd international career hundred. But soon after raising his bat to acknowledge the crowd, an unexpected scene unfolded at the JSCA Stadium.
A Fan Breaks Security, Runs to Kohli, and Falls at His Feet
As the “King Kohli” chants echoed across Ranchi, one fan managed to slip past multiple layers of security, sprint onto the field, and fall at Kohli’s feet. Ground staff quickly intervened and escorted the fan outside, but the incident has raised serious questions about player safety – especially with packed stadiums and high-profile matches.
The Moments a fan entered in the ground to touched Virat Kohli's feet at Ranchi today. ♥️🥹
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) November 30, 2025
– Video of the Day!
pic.twitter.com/SWQ9b16ANy
This was one of the rare moments when security at an international venue was breached so easily, causing concern among the organisers.
Kohli Record-Breaking 135: A Statement to His Critics
Kohli walked in with intent and batted with complete authority.
His innings included:
- 11 fours
- 7 massive sixes
- Strike rate: 112.50
- 109-run partnership with Rohit Sharma
Rohit supported well with a brisk 57 off 51 balls, smashing 5 fours and 3 sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him LBW.
With this century, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar record of 51 centuries in a single format, becoming the player with the most tons in any international format.
Kohli’s ODI Record in Ranchi
| Year | Opponent | Runs | Not Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | England | 77* | Yes |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | 139* | Yes |
| 2016 | New Zealand | 45 | No |
| 2019 | Australia | 123 | No |
| 2025 | South Africa | 135 | No |
Most Centuries in a Single International Format
| Rank | Player | Format | Centuries | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | ODI | 52* | 294 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | Test | 51 | 329 |
| 3 | Sachin Tendulkar | ODI | 49 | 452 |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | Test | 45 | 280 |
Most ODI Centuries vs South Africa
| Player | Centuries | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 6* | 30 |
| David Warner | 5 | 30 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 5 | 57 |
| Kane Williamson | 4 | 19 |
A Night of Records and Drama in Ranchi
While Kohli’s century was the highlight of the match, the security breach overshadowed the celebration for a brief moment. Thankfully, no one was harmed, and Kohli remained calm despite the sudden incident.
The JSCA management is expected to strengthen the security setup for the next matches in the series. Kohli stunning century and India’s strong batting show have now raised the excitement for the rest of the ODI series, with fans already buzzing about his form ahead of India’s next fixtures.
