"Brother, what are you doing?" - Indian legend slams Virat Kohli's critics after latter's ton in IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh failed to understand how critics continue to question Virat Kohli's ability despite his unquestionable greatness. The ace batter slammed his second consecutive hundred in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3.

Virat Kohli needed a massive statement after his successive ducks on his return to competitive cricket in Australia. Since that blip, he has turned things around with three sublime knocks to rest his case in the team's long-term plans. After being put into bat first, the No.3 batter stepped up once again to score his 53rd ODI hundred.

His 102 runs off 93 deliveries helped India post a mammoth 358-5 in the first innings. However, the Proteas stitched up a stunning effort to seal a record run chase and level the series 1-1 with a game to spare.

Harbhajan Singh stated that Virat Kohli is someone who cannot be sidelined for the sake of transition.

"People are writing him off, telling that it is a new generation, new players should come in all that. You don't have such a fit player among your newcomers as well. Is there anyone? If you can point your finger at Virat Kohli and say that there is no place for him, then brother, what are you doing?" Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan Singh also reserved praise for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored his maiden ODI hundred from the other end during his sublime partnership with Virat Kohli for the third wicket.

"Ruturaj is brilliant. Brilliant player. He arrived to the scene a bit late, did not get enough opportunities, and now that he has an opportunity, he is not letting go of it. When Ruturaj and Virat were batting together, the way Ruturaj changed gears after reaching fifty, he reached his hundred in some 75 balls. The batsmanship they showed together, it was class," the former bowler added.

Slotted in at No.4 in the injured Shreyas Iyer's absence, Gaikwad was at his fluent best and scored 105 runs off 83 deliveries. The right-handed batter had to endure a two-year wait for a return to the ODI setup and has now given the team management a massive selection headache with his recent display.

"If one of them had gone on to score 140-150, then the job would have been done" - Harbhajan Singh feels India were 20 runs short in IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Team India were in a dominant position at 257-2 with 15 overs to spare, but could only add another 101 runs to their total after a mini collapse ahead of the third powerplay. With both Kohli and Gaikwad departing in quick succession, Washington Sundar's run out, and Ravindra Jadeja's sluggish cameo, KL Rahul had the task of shouldering the finishing responsibilities.

The stand-in skipper stepped up once again with a 43-ball 66, but the hosts could not reach a total that was out of the Proteas' reach.

"I thought at one point, India should have scored 380 runs. But both Virat and Gaikwad had got out right after hitting their 100. If one of them had gone on to score 140-150, then the job would have been done. Actually, 358 should also have been defended, but I think we lagged behind in terms of our bowling," Harbhajan Singh concluded.

India and South Africa will face each other in the series decider on Saturday, December 6 in Vizag.