The real King in our midst!

Virat Kohli had commentators speculating about a rather silent choice of celebration upon reaching his century at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Sunday. The 35-year-old's celebration was rather reserved compared to his usual spirited self.

Commentators joked that age is catching up with him.

Age appears to bear little influence on him, but who can run away from milestones? Kohli is now 49-ODI hundreds-old. This is no mean feat, but that he jointly holds the record for most ODI hundreds with idol Sachin Tendulkar makes it a cut above.

As the World Cup league stage clash against South Africa went into hyper-drive on the back of another Kohli blitz, it became blindingly obvious that he is well and truly India's knight in shining armour. Fresh off his flashy 94-ball-88 against Sri Lanka, Kohli completely dismantled the much-vaunted South African bowling attack, finishing unbeaten on 101.

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There were deafening cheers as the batting talisman moved swiftly through the 90s and chants of ‘Virat-Virat' filled the breezy air.

Moments later, the arena and the stands were a sea of emotions as Kohli gently pushed Kagiso Rabada for a single in the 49th over. The century came off 119 balls with 10 fours, showing that he toiled hard for his runs.

His arms were raised in triumph, sweat streamed down his forehead, and he seemed to retire into a little trance of his own as he gazed up at the sky. The deeply introspective Kohli was savouring the moment, for this was a day when the records tumbled at his feet. For the Proteas, though, only one statistic - they hit the lowest low after suffering the heaviest margin of defeat by runs in men's ODIs.

Entering the Eden after a run of seven successive victories by India, Kohli was high on octane and low on sympathy for the in-form and ambitious South African side seeking to shed the choker's tag and win its maiden World Cup title. But they really can have no complaints after Kohli's batting carnage helped the hosts take a vice-like grip on this contest.

His innings were world-class, the type that shows a player in complete control of his game. At times elegant, at times destructive, but always authoritative. Both timing and placement were exquisite: his lofty straight and square drives, his flashy pulls, and everything that came out of his scything willow last evening was a treat to the eyes.

But if his stroke making was impressive, the running between wickets was simply out of this world. To bat an innings with a strike rate nearing 150, yet have little more than half your runs piled up in boundaries and maximums, shows he is committed to mastering every aspect of his game.

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Barring Keshav Maharaj who bowled his full quota at a stretch, no other South African bowler could create an impact on an Eden wicket that became slower as the game progressed and aided spin. Kohli sensed the occasion and scorched boundary after boundary to show who was the boss, leaving the Proteas submissive and unresponsive.

At the halfway stage, their mettlesome skipper Temba Bavuma would have felt they had one foot in the contest, having left India deflated with twin bumper strikes within the first 11 overs. Little did he know that Kohli was destined for greater things on Sunday!

Probably chewing off what remained of his fingers, Bavuma looked helpless as watched the ball speed away in nearly every over.

That is the only thing to do with Kohli. Enjoy watching him hit his bat against the ball.

Bavuma knew there was no use searching for excuses or venting frustrations at his men. Destiny had no unexpected turn in-store and left him floundering for alternatives as his tactics were picked apart.

The evening belonged to Kohli, in all his unbridled glory.