IND vs SA 2025: Ravichandran Ashwin reveals reason behind Virat Kohli's fiery celebration following his back-to-back centuries

Modern-day great Virat Kohli’s return to peak ODI form has been a positive sign for the Indian team in the ongoing series against South Africa. The veteran batter smashed back-to-back centuries in Ranchi and Raipur, but it was not just the runs that grabbed headlines, but also his aggressive celebrations that followed. Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently decoded the reason behind Kohli’s reactions, believing they carry an emotional message linked to recent criticism and his Test retirement.

After a lean run in Test cricket and speculation around his future, the 37-year-old made the tough decision to retire from the longest format earlier this year. The BCCI’s mandate requiring senior players to participate in domestic cricket increased criticism, leading both Rohit Sharma and Kohli to play Ranji Trophy matches after nearly a decade. Many believed the two legends were forced towards Test retirement rather than voluntarily choosing it.

Meanwhile, Kohli suffered a brief slump, including two ducks in Australia, before smashing a match-winning 74 in Sydney. But it was his twin centuries against South Africa that saw him get back on form. In the ongoing ODI series, Kohli smashed 135 in Ranchi and 102 in Raipur and followed it up with another ton in Raipur. With 237 runs at an average of 118.50 in the series, he is the frontrunner for Player of the Series heading into the decider at Visakhapatnam, a venue where he averages nearly 98.

Upon reaching both centuries, the veteran jumped in the air, screamed, and let out the kind of celebration fans had not seen in years. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Kohli’s celebrations were a direct response to talks around his declining form and about him becoming a one-format player.

“Why is Virat celebrating like that? What is he thinking and what has he gone through? Let us not forget that Virat left Test cricket. Both events felt very synchronous. He loved Test cricket and always wanted to play, but he stepped away because the situation was not only about what he wanted. There was chatter around him and questions about his lack of runs in Tests, and we do not truly know what he was dealing with. Leaving the sport in any capacity is a major decision,” Ashwin said.

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 must have taken it personally that people were doubting his skill: Ashwin

Ashwin further added that the cricketer agreeing to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy is itself a message that he wants to show he is still hungry, competitive, and far from finished. 

“He must have taken it personally that people were doubting his skill and ability, and that he felt the need to show everyone what he is still capable of. Sometimes, when you are desperate to prove yourself, you can get out, and perhaps that happened to Virat in the past. But now he seems to be saying that if you doubted me, here is the proof of what I can still do. He looks in a good mental space. His centre of gravity is much lower than it had been over the last couple of years, which is a crucial element in timing the ball well and judging the length early,” Ashwin concluded.