The wait of over 1020 days is finally over. The king has roared again in all his glory. Virat Kohli is now back again in the league of centuries. The modern-day great has finally scored his very much-awaited 71st century. The century came in India’s last game of the Asia Cup against Afghanistan on Thursday, September 8th.
Truth be told, this game held no significance for Indian fans. The cricket enthusiasts were devastated after India’s early exit from Asia Cup. And this game would’ve made no difference to revive the situation. It was difficult for them to muster any enthusiasm for this match whatsoever. But the king had other plans for them. Kohli turned the tables a full 180° with his century. And now this game stands atop the list of most favorite games of the fans.
Virat Kohli: The man, the myth, the legend
The moment Virat Kohli silenced his critics and smashed his 71st century and also his maiden T20i hundred. pic.twitter.com/OkzRAWDzqr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 8, 2022
With this century, Kohli now has the joint second most centuries scored in the game with Ricky Ponting. The 71st came after a long wait of almost 3 years. These months were filled with opinions, criticism, and unsolicited advice regarding Kohli’s form. The discussion and chatter about the dip in his form grew incessant over these months.
Kohli himself was aware of this situation as he was of the noise. Virat recently admitted to struggling with his form and how it resulted in mental pressure as well. However, a thoughtful and reflective month-long break brought his peace and focus back. And these in turn mixed up with grit, determination, and practice have finally brought his form back.
Virat Kohli, after hitting the century-sealing six on Thursday looked relieved. Relief, ecstasy, Kohli felt and expressed all these emotions right on the pitch after the century as he kissed his ring locket. It seemed like he was waiting for this century as much as his fans if not more for that matter. “Abhi cricket baaki hai,” Kohli remarked to Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he was walking back up to the dressing room.
Kohli dedicates the feat to Anushka Sharma
#NewCoverPic 📸 pic.twitter.com/kpoZlvArVa
— ICC (@ICC) September 8, 2022
In his interaction during the innings break, Kohli openly expressed his relief after the century. As Kohli scored this 71st, he also got to his maiden T20I century. And he told how he was shocked about this. He opened up how T20 was the last format he expected to hit a century in to break his dry spell.
“Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in a month. So those angry celebrations are a thing of the past. Actually, I was shocked. This is the last format I thought,” Kohli said. “It was an accumulation of a lot of things. The team has been open and helpful. I know there was a lot of stuff going outside,” he added.
Moreover, he revealed the source that kept him going during this long low phase. Kohli dedicated this feat to his wife Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika. “And I kissed my ring. You see me standing here because one person has put things in perspective for me. That’s Anushka. This hundred is for her and for our little daughter Vamika as well. When you have someone next to you having conversations putting things in perspective, like Anushka has been… when I came back I was not desperate,” he said.
He rounded off the conversation as he talked about how the break helped him regain his momentum. “Six weeks off I was refreshed. I realised how tired I was. Competitiveness doesn’t allow it, but this break allowed me to enjoy the game again,” Kohli noted.
Hopefully, this century will help Kohli gradually but swiftly move back at the top of the runs. And with the T20 World Cup lined up later this year, he’s right at time to claim his form, this game, and the glory back.
