Virat Kohli’s century drought, spanning 1020 days and 83 innings, came to an end on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai. The Indian batting maestro, who had been struggling to find his rhythm in recent times, silenced his critics with a masterful knock of 122 off just 61 balls.
Kohli’s innings was a testament to his class and resilience. Opening the innings for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he seized the opportunity and played with a freedom that had been missing from his game for some time. His knock was a blend of power and finesse, as he effortlessly dispatched the Afghan bowlers to all parts of the ground.
The century was Kohli’s first in T20Is and his 71st across all formats internationally. It was also his first century since November 2019, when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in a Test match.
Kohli’s unbeaten knock propelled India to an imposing total of 212 for 2, a target that proved insurmountable for Afghanistan. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s five-wicket haul, restricted Afghanistan to 111 for 8, securing a comfortable 101-run victory.
Kohli’s return to form is a major boost for India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The former Indian captain has been a key figure in India’s success in the shortest format of the game, and his return to form will give the team a much-needed confidence boost.
