Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli scores his long awaited 71st Internatinal century in a dead-rubber match against Afghanistan
Virat Kohli has finally done it. The moment everyone was waiting for is finally here as Kohli smashes his 71st international century after a sabbatical of 1019 days.
It was a dead rubber encounter between India and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup where Kohli played the heroic knock of 122 off just 61 deliveries. And helped his team set the highest total of 212 in Asia Cup 2022.
Kohli scores his 71st international century
Virat Kohli had a change in batting position in this game. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, who was rested for the match, Kohli paired with Kl Rahul in the opening slot.
Together the duo gave India a flying start. They added 119 runs for the first wicket in 12.4 overs. Rahul, the captain of the match, also looked in great touch. But sadly, couldn’t keep his inning going and departed for 62 off 41.
However, Kohli up the ante after Rahul’s departure. Coming in from a duck in the crucial game against Sri Lanka, Kohli looked very determined. And his shot selections showed the same charge as he dispatched the bowlers around the park.
He brought up his 1s T20I century in style by smashing a six-over deep mid-wicket. Then came out a bright smile, broad as the pitch. And then a celebratory bow to the crowd and teammates. Kohli looked as delighted as a man can be.
For many, it was a vintage Kohli knock, as the batter smashed bowlers for a total of 12 fours and 6 sixes in his inning. He scored a total of 122 runs, the highest by any Indian batter in T20Is.
In doing so, he broke the 5-year-old record of Rohit Sharma. The current skipper had scored 118 against Sri Lanka in just 48 balls in 2017.
India’s commanding second inning
Afghanistan didn’t turn up in the second inning at all. They were diminished to 6 for 21 in just 6.5 overs. Courtesy of some excellent bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He picked up 5 wickets in his four overs and gave away just 5 runs.
Afghanistan couldn’t score more than 110 runs, and India registered a massive victory of 111 runs in their final match of the Asia Cup 2022.
