A touching moment lit up the internet as Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen hugging Virat Kohli inside the dressing room after the star batter’s incredible performance in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
Kohli had just delivered one of his finest ODI innings on home soil, smashing a magnificent 135 that electrified the stadium and reminded everyone why he remains one of the most dominant forces in world cricket. He built a strong 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored 57, and later added another 76 runs with KL Rahul.
Gambhir Shares a Special Hug With Kohli
Kohli’s brilliant innings came to an end thanks to Nandre Burger. As he walked back into the dressing room, he was welcomed with loud cheers from his teammates. That’s when Gambhir, usually known for his fierce and serious demeanor, walked up to Virat Kohli and gave him a warm, heartfelt hug.
It was a simple yet powerful moment between two legends of Indian cricket, reflecting the respect and emotion surrounding Kohli’s breathtaking innings.
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GAMBHIR HUGGING KOHLI AFTER THE ICONIC KNOCK 👏 pic.twitter.com/nRYnfNDkWq
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 30, 2025
Senior Players Step Up for India in the 1st ODI
India’s experienced players once again took charge in Ranchi. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma both scored valuable fifties, while Kohli’s century helped India put up a strong total of 349 for 8 against South Africa in the opening match of the three-game ODI series.
Rahul played with great maturity, starting steadily just like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli before shifting gears when the moment demanded. He scored 51 off 50 balls, smashing two impressive sixes off Nandre Burger and picking up the pace towards the end of his innings. Apart from the senior trio, only Ravindra Jadeja managed to contribute 32, while the younger players struggled once again.
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For South Africa, the wickets were evenly shared, with Marco Jansen, Nandre Burger, Corbin Bosch, and Ottneil Baartman all picking up two each.
Rohit became the player with the most sixes in ODI cricket, taking his tally to 352 and surpassing Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record. As for Kohli, his century was the 52nd of his ODI career and the 82nd across all international formats.
ALSO READ: WATCH – Rohit Sharma’s Fired-Up Reaction As Virat Kohli Scores His 52nd ODI Ton In Ranchi
