Virat Kohli looks dashing as he lands in Mumbai for ODI series against South Africa

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Tuesday returned to India after nearly six months, ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning November 30 in Ranchi. His arrival marks his first appearance for India at home since the white-ball series against England earlier this year, prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which India won in Dubai. Fans welcomed him enthusiastically at the airport, where he happily posed for photos and selfies.

Celebration Turned Tragedy After RCB's Historic Win

Kohli stayed in India earlier this year to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title, a triumph he played a crucial role in. However, the celebrations in Bengaluru took a tragic turn when a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed several lives. Kohli has maintained a low profile since the incident, focusing on family time and personal training.

Also Read: Virat Kohli has become calmer and wiser after marriage: Former India star

Form, Focus and Future: Kohli’s ODI Road Ahead

The South Africa series will be Kohli’s first ODI appearance since the three-match series against Australia, where he endured a rough start with two consecutive ducks before bouncing back with a composed fifty. His solid partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored a century, was one of the bright spots in that series.

Despite his legendary ODI record with 14,255 runs and 51 centuries, Kohli faces pressure to perform. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have refrained from guaranteeing his World Cup spot, insisting that performance alone will secure his place. Kohli has also been advised to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for valuable game time following his retirement from the other formats.

In his last outing, Kohli scored a well-composed half century against Australia and stiched a big partnership with Rohit Sharma, which helped India to beat Australia in Sydney. 

A Crucial Chapter Begins

As Kohli gears up for the series, expectations remain high. His return offers India stability and experience as they build toward the next World Cup. Whether he can silence doubts and reclaim dominance will be closely watched across the cricketing world.