"Shows in the way he jumps to celebrate" - Ex-Indian cricketer's massive claim on Virat Kohli's ton after IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up on Virat Kohli's supreme fitness after the legendary cricketer scored his 84th international ton in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. With the 37-year-old jumping to celebrate the landmark, Pathan was in awe of his fitness level even after batting for so long.

The Delhi-born cricketer peeled off his second consecutive ODI ton and his 53rd overall during the second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday, December 3, in Raipur. The right-hander needed only 90 balls for his century as he leapt high to celebrate the milestone before being dismissed for 102.

Speaking in a recent video on his YouTube channel 'Irfan Pathan,' the 41-year-old observed that Kohli understood the conditions perfectly and played cautiously, especially against balls outside off-stump.

"Firstly, we need to talk about Virat Kohli. A player aged 37, the way his fitness is, scoring back-to-back centuries, it shows in the way he jumps to celebrate. He jumps approximately 9 meters, shows what kind of focus he has. He started with two ducks in Australia but has scored at least 50 runs in the next three innings. After a knock of 74 runs in Australia, he has scored back-to-back tons. The challenge was different here. He understood that the pitch is slightly different here and had to play cautiously. Kohli started with a six but played cautiously whenever the ball was pitched outside off-stump," he said.

Pathan went on to point out how well the former Indian skipper ran between the wickets.

"What we are seeing regularly with Kohli is he is stepping out to fast bowlers and has plenty of time. When Kohli bats, it feels he has plenty of time. The way he stepped out to hit Marco Jansen’s short ball for six shows any other batter might not have that much time. Secondly, there is no weakness in running between the wickets. Once Ruturaj Gaikwad played a shot, he ran swiftly for the first run and ran second after a misfield. He converted another misfield into a third run. I saw Gaikwad is running way in front of the crease but Kohli is not doing that. He keeps watching the ball; hence, he gets that advantage," he added.

Along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who top-scored with 105, the veteran batter stitched a 195-run stand to set the foundation for India's total of 358/5. However, Aiden Markram's 110 triumphed both the home side batters' centuries to drive the Proteas to a series-levelling victory.

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"When bowlers’ gameplan changes, Virat Kohli also comes up with a new gameplan" - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan. (Image Credits: Getty)

In the same video, Pathan opined that the star cricketer had an answer to every plan from South Africa and hilariously accused him of spoiling everyone's weekday plans, saying:

"He has also shown that a player can maximise their cricket if fitness is fully there. Fitness has played a major role in his flourishing one-day career. I don’t think anyone paces their innings like Kohli in one-day cricket, especially according to the situation and conditions. When bowlers’ gameplan changes, he also comes up with a new gameplan. Whether is Sunday or weekday, King plays. On Sunday, King plays but King plays with your plans on weekdays. He has the answer to every plan from South Africa. In the previous match, there was an off-spinner and we saw a left-arm spinner in this game. He countered him well."

"He kept waiting for the ball to be pitched up and there is also his backfoot game, taking singles and doubles effectively. Overall, his century celebrations show the old Virat Kohli has returned. The way he celebrates a wicket also shows he is back. On that aspect, it’s a major positive for India in ODIs," Pathan concluded.

Markram, who shared a match-winning stand of 101 with Temba Bavuma, earned the Player of the Match award. The series-decider will take place on Saturday, December 6, in Vishakhapatnam.