For more than 1000 days, the fans waited for Virat Kohli to score his next century in International cricket. However, not a lot of people had expected him to score one in the ongoing match against Afghanistan. It came after 1121 days with a strike rate of 188.68. The former Indian skipper raised his century in just 53 balls against Afghanistan on Thursday. His knock was laced with 11 fours and 6 sixes.
India are currently playing their last match in the Asia Cup 2022 against Afghanistan at Dubai International Stadium. Afghanistan skipper, Mohammed Nabi won the toss and elected to bowl first. Virat Kohli opened the batting alongside KL Rahul as the regular skipper Rohit Sharma has opted to rest.
Both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli played with caution in the first few overs to take note of the fresh pitch. The duo accelerated, later on, and helped India reach 52 for 0 at the end of the power play. Kohli looked at his best as he scored runs all around the park.
He changed gears by smashing two fours and a six against Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 6th over, which set the tone for his innings. He was dropped off Nabi in the seventh over and capitalized on that fully. Kohli rotated the strike wonderfully but also hit boundaries at regular intervals.
Be it spinners or pacers, India’s run-machine played with ease and dominated the Afghan bowlers throughout his innings. Kohli reached a century with a four and six and went on to play an unbeaten knock of 122 runs in 61 balls.
Fans were all praise for Kohli on Twitter. Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
Virat Kohli lifts the bat for t20 century . Omg this is Wat nation wanted to see . Once KING always KING . pic.twitter.com/J7b6GkTAL5
— Sathish krishnan (@dancersatz) September 8, 2022
@imVkohli dancing again! What a lovely sight
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) September 8, 2022
Virat Kohli to the cricket world today #INDvAFG #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/JHYQ6NGlzb
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 8, 2022
The KING IS BACK?@imVkohli ? pic.twitter.com/JNhmcltoBw
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 8, 2022
This Asia Cup will be remembered for Virat Kohli finally taking U-turn to peak form. Very aggressive, very impressive, very Virat Kohli. #INDvsAFG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 8, 2022
Who would have thought Virat Kohli's 71st century will come in T20I. God writes the best script for great players.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 8, 2022
Virat Kohli scores 71st Century
Indians right now: pic.twitter.com/3JefQoR6aW
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 8, 2022
The wait is over, Virat Kohli completed his 71st International hundred. pic.twitter.com/hPRmxu7fxE
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 8, 2022
This is absolutely insane – maiden T20i hundred by Virat Kohli.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 8, 2022
Virat Kohli sweeping the ball , something you don't see usual ? pic.twitter.com/zZO2yCdx57
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) September 8, 2022
Virat Kohli makes it look easy, proactive against the spinners. Back to back half centuries as an opener.#INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #CricketTwitter #AsiaCup2022
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) September 8, 2022
Ladies and gents Mr consistent Virat Kohli is back in form ??
3rd fifty in Aisa cup ? pic.twitter.com/l8hYpvdNMJ
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) September 8, 2022
Been saying this for over a year now:
VIRAT KOHLI must OPEN for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup ??@imVkohli @ImRo45 #SportsYaari #ViratKohli?— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) September 8, 2022
This is for those who doubted him, said he should be dropped despite having a great T20i record. No one gives it back to critics like Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/FYsuWyE2uY
— A (@_shortarmjab_) September 8, 2022
50 off 32 balls for Virat Kohli. Third half century of #AsiaCup2022
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) September 8, 2022
Fighting form, battling agenda, coming off a month's break, picks up bat and casually becomes the first Indian in this Tournament to score more than 200* runs. Just King things! ?#ViratKohli
— Ricky talks Cricket (@CricRicky) September 8, 2022
The only positive for India from this entire #AsiaCup2022 is Virat Kohli's return to form.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) September 8, 2022
