India has crashed out of the Asia Cup 2022 in an embarrassing fashion losing out to arch-rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Indian fans however still had something to celebrate in the last match of the Super Four as Virat Kohli came up with his 71st Century against Afghanistan.
All of the cricketing fraternity came together to celebrate the end of Kohli’s century draught after 1021 days. The former India captain made an international century on 23rd November 2019 against Bangladesh. Ever since then however the right-hand batter struggled to achieve the milestone.
At first, people came up with memes and jokes on his century draught but as it persisted the fans realised that something was wrong on a deeper level. Kohli was allowed to take a sabbatical from the game and skipped West Indies and Zimbabwe tours to focus on his mental health. On his return, the 33-year-old spoke at length about his mental struggle and the toll century draught has taken on it.
Kohli however certainly looked a much more content man than before upon his comeback. He began the Asia Cup with a knock of solid 35 against Pakistan and then went on to hit back-to-back half-centuries against Hong Kong and Pakistan. The team however was let down by middle-order woes that have crept up in the Asia Cup and could not qualify for the finals.
Kohli however continued his sensational run of form and topped it off with a highly anticipated 71st century. Understandably the whole of cricketing fraternity came together to celebrate Kohli’s 71st century.
Kohli is such an icon of the sport that even Pakistan players who are often seen as the arch rivals of India congratulated Kohli on his feat. Pakistan bowler Wahab Riaz, said, “Cricket looked incomplete without Kohli scoring runs. Good to see the Run Machine back. Enjoyed the Kohli show.”
Others such as Kamran Akmal, Hassan Ali and Fawad Alam also took to Twitter to show their pleasure at Kohli’s comeback to form.
Let’s see how Pakistan cricketers reacted to Virat Kohli’s 71st century.
The King is back for sure ?
The wait is finally over as Virat Kohli registers 71st century, his first in T20Is#INDvAFG #Kohli #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/6rdcp8GJ4A
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) September 8, 2022
Cricket looked incomplete without @imVkohli scoring runs. Good to see the Run machine back. Enjoyed the Kohli show ???? #INDvAFG
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) September 8, 2022
The king is back ! This shows his class , determination & resilience. What an incredible innings by @imVkohli – many many congrats to him ! you always have been and always will be inspirational! #INDvsAFG #AsiaCup2022
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) September 8, 2022
Form is temporary…Class is permanent. Always love watching @imVkohli playing..what a brilliant ? you are a real king ?
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) September 8, 2022
The great is back @imVkohli
— Hassan Ali ?? (@RealHa55an) September 8, 2022
Great to see @imVkohli back in form, more like the Kohli we know with a brilliant hundred to win the game for India. Keep going buddy! ??#INDvsAFG
— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) September 8, 2022
Absolutely master class from @imVkohli
He showed the world tonight what he is made off.
Though it’s almost a dead rubber game for India in this Asia cup,
But in form cheeku ? will b absolute gold for India in coming World Cup?
#GOAT— Ahmad Shahzad ?? (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 8, 2022
Form is temporary Class is permanent. Inning of dominance by @imVkohli Great to see him back at his Best #AsiaCup2022 #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/yYw53DCNom
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) September 8, 2022
The best player on the planet is back @imVkohli #GOAT?
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) September 8, 2022
so finally wait is over great ? by king kohli
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) September 8, 2022
The 71st is finally here, long wait but worth it. What composed and powerful innings and statement from Virat Kohli. Maza aagaya! #INDvsAFG #asiacup2022 @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/4MQWG0zg00
— Rumman Raees (@rummanraees15) September 8, 2022
