Virat Kohli hits maiden T20I century, ends wait for 71st international hundred
Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli hit his maiden T20I hundred, coming up with a masterclass of big-hitting in India’s Super 4 match against Afghanistan. It was also the former captain’s 71st international hundred.
The wait for the No. 71 was finally over on Thursday, September 8 as Virat Kohli ended his long drought for a century in international cricket. It came in the form of his maiden T20I hundred as Virat Kohli was more relieved than elated in the Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2022 against Afghanistan in Dubai.
Virat Kohli hit an international hundred after 3 years, precisely 1020 days as he stepped up for India in the dead rubber against Afghanistan. The former captain scored 122 not out in just 61 balls as India posted 212 for 2 20 overs after Mohammad Nabi won the toss and Afghanistan opted to field.
Kohli looked surprised as he couldn’t believe that wait for the elusive No. 71 ended in a format wherein he least expected a century.
Asia CUp, India vs Afghanistan Super 4 Updates
With the hundred, Kohli equalled Ricky Ponting on the list of most centuries in international cricket. Kohli has 71 hundreds while Sachin Tendulkar is on top of the elite list with 100 3-figure scores.
Kohli last scored an international century in a day-night Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in November 2019.
MOST HUNDREDS IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
Sachin Tendulkar – 100 in 664 matches
Ricky Ponting – 71 in 560 matches
Virat Kohli – 71 in 468 matches
Virat Kohli dedicated his 71st international hundred to his wife Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika.
“I know there was a lot of stuff going on on the outside but they really kept my perspective right and I kissed my ring in the celebrations as well. You see me standing like this right now and all the things being put in perspective have been done by one person, who stood by me through all these difficult times that is Anushka,” Virat Kohli said.
Virat Kohli opened the innings for India after captain Rohit Sharma was rested for the Asia Cup match. Kohli and stand-in captain KL Rahul began on a cautious note on a good batting pitch but it was Kohli who cut loose and took the onus of scoring big in the powerplay.
Kohli hit 6 sixes and 12 boundaries for 122, which is the highest score by an Indian in T20I cricket. Kohli also became the oldest Indian batter to hit a T20I hundred. (India Today)
