Virat Kohli, the Indian batter, scored his second consecutive ODI century in the first match of the three-match contest against Sri Lanka on January 10, Tuesday. To add more, the right-handed batter scored 113 runs on the day, helping team India clinch an emphatic win by 67 runs post putting on 373 runs on the board at the end of the first innings against a fiery Lankan Lions pace attack.
Fans, on the other hand, drew a spiritual angle to it claiming that it was his recent visit along with Anushka and daughter Vamika to Baba Neem Karoli ashram in Vrindavan, Mathura, that helped him pull off the unbelievable effort. Baba Neem Karoli has ashrams in states all along the northern part of India and has followers like Julia Roberts, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs.
Baba was a devotee of the deity Hanuman and fans claimed that it was Kohli’s visit that changed his fortunes, enabling him to make a comeback in the white-ball format. The Indian batter was rightfully adjourned the Player of the Match award and Kohli opened up on his century, as he hoped to carry on with the form.
I don’t think there was anything different: Virat Kohli
Kohli said that his preparations remained the same and was glad about the fact that they worked during the initial game against the Lankan Lions. It remains to be seen if the talismanic batter would continue with the form, although one has to agree that fans got to cherish his roaring celebration after scoring his 73rd international hundred on Tuesday.
“I don’t think there was anything different. My preparation and intent always remain the same. I thought I was hitting the ball nicely. It was close to the template I play with, I understood we needed an extra 25-30 runs. I tried to understand the conditions in the second half. Tried to get a comfortable total for us on the board. The one thing I learnt was desperation doesn’t get you anywhere,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
“You do not need to complicate things. You go out there and play without any fear, I can’t hold on to things. You have to play for the right reasons and almost play every game like it’s your last and just be happy about it. The game is going to move on. I am not going to play forever, I am in a happy space and enjoying my time playing,” he added.
