India, Nov. 26 -- Star batter Virat Kohli arrived in Ranchi on Tuesday, marking his return to MS Dhoni's hometown ahead of the opening ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa, set to begin on November 30 at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium.

Kohli was greeted at the Birsa Munda Airport by former India cricketer and current JKCA secretary Saurabh Tiwary, who escorted him out amid tight security. The former India captain appeared relaxed and smiling as he acknowledged fans waiting outside the terminal, his arrival setting an early buzz in the city.

India, led by KL Rahul for this series, will face South Africa in Ranchi before travelling to Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6 for the remaining tw...