Virat Kohli has dedicated his first T20 international hundred to wife Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika after his knock propelled India to a huge 212//2 against Afghanistan in a Super Four match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai.
Sent into bat first, Virat Kohli opened the innings with KL Rahul after regular captain Rohit Sharma decided to sit out of the game. He first stitched a 119-run stand with KL Rahul before putting 87 runs in 42 balls for the unbeaten third wicket.
“Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in a month. The team has been open and helpful. I know there was a lot of stuff going outside. And I kissed my ring,” Virat Kohli said during the innings break.
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“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. Six weeks off I was refreshed. I realised how tired I was,” he added.
“Competitiveness doesn't allow it, but this break allowed me enjoy the game again.” Virat Kohli also equalled former Australian captain on 71 international hundreds, only second to behind Sachin Tendulkar who has 100.
This is also Virat Kohli’s first international hundred since November 2019.
It was vintage Kohli on display as he stepped out to the spinners, pierced the field perfectly and even played a rare sweep shot. The former India captain also got lucky on his way to a memorable hundred as he was dropped in the deep off Mohammad Nabi in the eight over.
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It was raining boundaries in the last five overs as Kohli reached the elusive three figure mark with a crisp pull shot off pacer Fareed Ahmed. He took his helmet off, hugged his teammate Rishabh Pant and smiled in disbelief before kissing his necklace as part of his celebration.
He ended the innings in style by smashing two sixes and a four off Fazalhaq Farooqi to push India past 200. The disdain with which he hammered the bowlers and his nimble feet movement showed 'King Kohli' was well and truly back.
