Ranchi, Dec. 1 -- Team India players were full of praise for Virat Kohli after his scintillating century guided India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. Kohli's 135 off 120 balls, his 52nd ODI hundred, set the tone for India's strong start to the series, and his teammates spoke openly about what it meant to witness another classic knock from the former captain.

Youngster Tilak Varma said it was special to watch Kohli's hundred from close quarters.

"We have seen one of the best knocks again. I am very happy that I have seen 100 of Virat bhai live," Tilak said in a video posted by the official website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"Since the last 17 years, he has always been electrifying ...