In a landmark moment for cricket, Kohli has surpassed one of the biggest world records held by Sachin Tendulkar, becoming the first cricketer in men’s international cricket to win 20 Player of the Series (POTS) awards. The milestone came after his exceptional performance in the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa.
Kohli Creates Global Record, Surpasses Tendulkar’s Legendary Feat
Kohli’s achievement puts him at the top of an elite list.Before this series, Sachin Tendulkar held the record with 19 POTS honours. By clinching the award for the South Africa ODIs, Virat now stands alone at the summit with 20, marking a historic leap forward for the modern great.
Following the two Indian icons on the list are Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (17), South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (14), Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya (13) and Australia’s David Warner (13).
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This was also Kohli’s 11th POTS award in ODIs, placing him on par with Jayasuriya and only behind Tendulkar, who leads with 14.
Kohli’s Domination: 302 Runs and Two Centuries in the Series
Throughout the series, Virat appeared in complete control of his game, dispelling doubts about whether playing a single format might affect his ODI rhythm.Rather, he returned appearing rejuvenated, self-assured, and impeccably skilled.
In the three ODIs, Virat totaled 302 runs, comprising:
- 135 in the opening ODI
- 102 in the second one-day international
- 65 (not out)* in the crucial game in Vizag, aiding India’s victory by nine wickets.
His steadiness and calmness were key to India’s commanding series triumph.
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Kohli Shares: “I Sense a Strong Freedom in My Thoughts”
Following the series win and his groundbreaking POTS award, Virat discussed regaining his peak performance.
He emphasized how satisfying it felt to return to a level he had been striving for over the past few years.
“Playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me. I don’t think I have played at this level for a good 2-3 years now and I feel really free in my mind. The whole game is coming together nicely.”
Kohli highlighted that maintaining his self-set standards has always been important to him and that these matches offered renewed confidence and clarity.
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Why Kohli Picked His Ranchi Century as the Best Knock
When asked which innings he valued the most from the series, Kohli chose his century in the opening ODI at Ranchi.
According to him, that innings carried special weight because it came after a long break since his last match in Australia. Kohli spoke about how his timing, energy, and confidence aligned that day, allowing him to take calculated risks with success.
“Ranchi was very special for me because it opened me up in a way that I haven’t felt for a while.”
He expressed gratitude for how all three matches unfolded, calling the series a major personal breakthrough.
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What’s Next for Kohli? Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26
Kohli is prepared to take part in the upcoming 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s top domestic List-A competition. His presence is anticipated to greatly enhance the competition as he keeps developing his renewed momentum.
Conclusion: An Exciting New Phase in Kohli’s Remarkable Journey
Kohli has penned another remarkable chapter in contemporary cricket history with his 20th Player of the Series award. The record, once owned by Sachin Tendulkar, is now his alone—a reflection of his endurance, dedication, and top-notch reliability.
As Kohli embarks on the next stage of his career with revitalized enthusiasm, both fans and analysts are keen to see the extent to which he will stretch this fresh world record.