"Don't think I've played at this level for 2-3 years" - Virat Kohli's candid admission after IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Senior Team India batter Virat Kohli has admitted that his excellent performance in the ODI series against South Africa was among his best in the recent 2-3 years. He asserted that he felt free in his mind, which helped his game a lot.

India beat South Africa by nine wickets in the third and final ODI of the series in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. Chasing a target of 271, they romped home in 39.5 overs as Yashasvi Jaiswal (116*) notched up his maiden one-day ton, while Rohit Sharma (75) and Kohli (65* off 45) struck half-centuries.

Kohli was named Player of the Series for smashing 302 runs in three innings at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05. Speaking at the post-match presentation, the 37-year-old admitted (via ESPNcricinfo):

"Honestly, just playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me. I don't think I've played at this level for a good two-three years now and I feel really free in my mind and just the whole game is coming together nicely, [it's] very exciting to build on. And something that I've always tried to do as a player, maintain my own standards that I've set for myself and play at the level that

"I can make an impact for the team. I know when I can bat like that out there in the middle, then it of course helps the team in a big way because I can bat long, I can bat according to the situation and just being confident makes me feel like any situation out there in the middle, I have what it takes to handle that situation and bring it in favour of the team," he added.

Before his unbeaten half-century on Saturday, Kohli had scored hundreds in the first two ODIs - 135 off 120 in Ranchi and 102 off 93 in Raipur. Before that, the right-hander had contributed 74* in Sydney during the third ODI against Australia.

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"When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes" - Virat Kohli on his aggression in 3rd IND vs SA 2025 ODI

Having come in after Jaiswal and Rohit had added 155 for the first wicket in Visakhapatnam, Kohli looked to dominate the bowling from very early in his innings. The former India captain ended up smashing six fours and three sixes in his fluent knock. Asked about his aggression, the star batter explained:

"When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There's always levels you can always unlock."

While Kohli was in great form right through the series against South Africa, he picked his knock in the first ODI in Ranchi as the most significant one and said:

"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 as to how these three games have gone."

On both him and Rohit standing up and delivering in the do-or-die contest in Visakhapatnam, the 37-year-old stated:

"It's always brought the best of us - that's what we want to play for. When it's 1-1, we want to do something special for the team. That's why we have played for the team for so long. Just happy that both of us continue to do it for so long."

While Kohli and Rohit played fine knocks on Saturday, Jaiswal was named Player of the Match for his maiden ODI ton, which featured 12 fours and two sixes.