Prøve GULL - Gratis

How to solve a problem like Virat Kohli?

The Island

|

December 02, 2025

How do you solve a problem called Virat Kohli? You don't. You sit back and marvel at what the man can do, even at 37 and even if you're supporting his opponents. And be happy you don't have to bowl to him.

How to solve a problem like Virat Kohli?

Kohli scored his 52nd ODI hundred in Ranchi. (BCCI)

(BCCI)

The South Africans didn't have an option in Ranchi on Sunday. They had to bowl to Kohli, and he made them pay for that impertinence.

Kohli's 120-ball 135 in the first ODI was his 83rd century in his 621st international innings. In ODI terms, it was his 52nd. That took him past Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in a particular format - Tendulkar scored 51 Test hundreds.

If it seems like we're comparing apples and pears, consider that Tendulkar scored his 49th and last ODI century in his 451st innings. Kohli has hurtled to 52 in 294, and who would say he doesn't have more left in the tank.

It was, as it always is when Kohli is on song, an innings equal parts precision, authority and what looks from a distance like cold fury. Essaying strokes as clean-cut as his jaw is not, he reached his first 50 off 48 and the second off 52. Then he overcame a disruption, caused by a spectator who ran onto the field to kiss his feet, well enough to hit four fours and two sixes off seven balls bowled to him by Prenelan Subrayen and Ottneil Baartman.

"I just felt like let me go out there and hit the ball, and not think too much about any of the other stuff," Kohli told the host broadcaster. "It was just me and the ball coming at me, just enjoying the game of cricket. Which was the very reason I started playing this game."

FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Island

The Island

The Island

H'tota Port says it was fully operational during extreme weather

As Sri Lanka experienced one of the worst flood situations in its recorded history, which crippled national infrastructure and forced operations to suspend at the Port of Colombo, Hambantota International Port (HIP), however, remained fully operational, the HIP has said in a media statement.

time to read

2 mins

December 09, 2025

The Island

Disaster: 635 bodies found so far, 192 listed as missing

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has categorised 192 persons as missing as search operations were scaled down in flood-affected areas.

time to read

1 min

December 09, 2025

The Island

The Island

Pathfinder EdTech Institute opens new Colombo Campus to strengthen Sri Lanka's digital talent

Pathfinder EdTech Institute officially opened its new Colombo campus located at No. 34, Sanchi Arachchi Gardens, Colombo 12, marking a significant step forward in its mission to support Sri Lanka's digital upskilling and workforce development, Pathfinder said in a statement issued yesterday (8)

time to read

1 min

December 09, 2025

The Island

EU wants 'full control' over online speech – legal expert

The European Union is using legal tools to pressure social media platforms and steer public debate on politically sensitive topics, Portugal-based international law expert Alexandre Guerreiro has told RT.

time to read

1 min

December 09, 2025

The Island

The Island

Cyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka's biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster

Sri Lanka is facing an environmental catastrophe of unprecedented scale in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, with leading experts warning that the real extent of the ecological destruction remains dangerously under-assessed.

time to read

2 mins

December 09, 2025

The Island

The Island

Russia to deepen nuclear ties with India to help achieve 100 GW goal

India and Russia have agreed to accelerate technical and commercial talks on pressurised water reactors, research and joint development of nuclear plants, localisation and joint manufacturing of nuclear equipment, and fuel assemblies for Russian-designed large-capacity plants, subject to mutually acceptable terms.

time to read

1 mins

December 09, 2025

The Island

The Island

People set example for politicians to follow

Some opposition political parties have striven hard to turn the disaster of Cyclone Ditwah to their advantage.

time to read

4 mins

December 09, 2025

The Island

Cyclone Ditwah: Lanka receiving guidance from Indian Space Research Organisation

In the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka has sought assistance and expertise from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s National Remote Sensing Centre.

time to read

3 mins

December 09, 2025

The Island

CA dismisses petition against removal of Sri Lanka diplomat

The Court of Appeal yesterday (08) dismissed without costs a petition challenging the removal of B.R.P.M.A. Devendra from his post as Minister at Sri Lanka's Consulate General Office in Melbourne, Australia.

time to read

1 min

December 09, 2025

The Island

The Island

New mosque project in Ayodhya set for April 2026 rollout

Thirty-three years after the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, in India's Uttar Pradesh, was razed by a mob on this day in 1992, paving the way for the grand Ram temple at the site, the tentative timeline for the new mosque project roll-out at Dhanapur, a village some 25 km from the city, could be around April 2026, head of the trust tasked with the project said.

time to read

3 mins

December 09, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size