Virat Kohli

2022 - 9 - 9

Post cover — Image courtesy of "International Cricket Council"

Virat Kohli slams first international hundred in nearly three years (International Cricket Council)

Virat Kohli hit his maiden T20I hundred, and his first in international cricket since November 2019, against Afghanistan in Dubai in the Asia Cup game on ...

He also completed 100 sixes in his T20I career, becoming the 10th men's player to the milestone. - Kohli also recorded the highest score in T20Is in UAE with 122* in Dubai. Kohli completed 3500 runs during the course of the innings, becoming the second men's player to the landmark in T20Is after Rohit Sharma.

Kohli ends 1021-day ton drought for India (PerthNow)

Virat Kohli has recorded his first international century in nearly three years as India bowed out of the Asia Cup with a 101-run trouncing of Afghanistan.

I realised how tired I was. Kohli raised his maiden T20 century in the penultimate over by hitting left-arm fast bowler Ahmed for a boundary and then raised his both arms with a broad smile by smashing a flat six over midwicket. But Kohli smacked both Afghanistan pace bowlers Fareed Ahmad (2-57) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (0-51) in the death overs in a stunning display of power-hitting that included some stunning flicks off his pads.

Unshackled Kohli brings the joy factor back to his batting (ESPNcricinfo.com)

He ended his 1020-day century drought with relentless, pressure-free and unhurried batting taken to the next level.

The joy factor in his batting was well and truly back. So what if the fielder had anticipated the shot and started running to his right as the shot was hit? This was Kohli unshackled by expectation. For all the ferocity he can display on the field, with his nerve-popping celebration and yelps, angry growls and send-offs, this was a moment of pure, unadulterated happiness. This was Kohli having fun. He got into position no sooner than Fazalhaq Farooqi had released the ball, knowing fully well what was coming, and sent it soaring over deep square. He looked up at the skies, then yanked his gloves off to pull out to kiss his ring that had the initials of his wife engraved on it. When the moment arrived in the 19th over of India's innings, Kohli was as free-spirited and expressive as you'd seen him in recent times. He was backing away slightly, as if to ask the bowlers to follow him. It was as if Kohli has transported himself to his 2016 vintage. Once Kohli had regathered himself, it was business as usual. It had a 'they're dancing in the aisles in Sharjah' vibe to it.

Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli hits 71st international century (The Indian Express)

Before this match, Kohli had last scored an international century against Bangladesh in a Pink Ball Test on November 23, 2019.

He is now only behind [Sachin Tendulkar](https://indianexpress.com/about/sachin-tendulkar/) in the all-time list. Along with the milestone, this was also Kohli’s very first 100 for India in T20 Internationals. In the absence of [Rohit Sharma](https://indianexpress.com/about/rohit-sharma/), Virat Kohli and [KL Rahul](https://indianexpress.com/about/kl-rahul/) started for India with the former India captain batting like a house on fire from the get-go.

Virat Kohli's 71st International hundred: Cricket fans and players react (Sportstar)

Virat Kohli went on to hammer 122 runs from 61 balls and wishes started pouring in from all over the world after his milestone.

Singh wrote “King Kohli is back and in what form”. Kohli went on to hammer 122 runs from 61 balls and wishes started pouring in from all over the world after his milestone. Kohli’s former teammate in the Indian Premier League, AB de Villiers also took to Twitter, reacting to the historic century.

India hero Virat Kohli reacts after ending long wait for century (Metro)

Virat Kohli said he felt 'blessed' and 'grateful' after ending his long wait for an international century in India's Asia Cup victory over Afghanistan.

It was just about getting those performances in the middle again.’ I was grateful for what God blessed me with. Speaking at the halfway stage, an emotional Kohli said: ‘I feel very blessed, very grateful right now. ‘I wanted to be the best version of myself for the team, and when I came here, when I started playing in the nets, I felt like my old rhythm was coming back. ‘I have been working hard and this was just a moment which was very special for me and the team as well.’ ‘I have put a lot of things in perspective and, actually, I was a bit shocked because this was the format I least expected a century to come in any time soon.