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Rohit Sharma of India and Virat Kohli of India running between the wicket during the 1st ODI match between India and South Africa at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, India on November 30, 2025. (CREIMAS for BCCI)
India’s Tilak Varma said that the presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the side gives the team a major boost of confidence, adding that he was seeking inputs on running between the wickets and fitness from the latter. Kohli and Rohit scored a century and a half century respectively as India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the 1st ODI in Ranchi on Sunday and helped India take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.
“ODI and Test cricket feel like my game because I enjoy the longer format. I’m really excited to play more ODIs as well. When Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are in the same team, the confidence level is completely different. They have so much experience and knowledge, and I try to take as much advice from them as possible to get better,” he said on JioHotstar.
“I speak to Virat bhai a lot, especially about fitness and running between the wickets. His intensity is incredible. I love running too, and I feel I’m pretty quick, so I really enjoy that part of the game. If we play together, running between the wickets with him is something I look forward to,” he added.
The 23-year-old who has played 4 ODIs and scored a half century said that he wanted to prove himself in the long formats like ODIs and Tests and will grab any opportunity that comes his way in the ongoing South Africa series.
“Whatever opportunities I get against South Africa, I want to finish those matches. I want to prove myself in ODIs and Tests too. I’m challenging myself to perform in the longer formats and grow as an individual player,” he said.
India will next face South Africa in Raipur for the second ODI on Wednesday and will hope to seal the series with one match remaining. Before the ODI series, India were white washed by the Proteas 0-2 in the Test series.
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