Asia Cup 2023

'There it is!'- Fans overjoyed as Virat Kohli ends the wait for his 71st International century

Virat Kohli finally ended his wait for a century by hitting a magnificent hundred in the ongoing match against Afghanistan.

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Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (Image source- Twitter)

Virat Kohli Virat Kohli (Image source- Twitter)

Virat Kohli's batting form was a major concern for the Indian team heading into the Asia Cup 2022. The veteran cricketer, on the other hand, proved everyone wrong with his outstanding performances. Virat Kohli finally ended his wait for a century by hitting a magnificent hundred in the ongoing match against Afghanistan.

Because Rohit Sharma was rested for the game, the 33-year-old was allowed to open the innings alongside KL Rahul. Virat looked in top form from the start, forming an important partnership with Rahul. They added 119 runs to their partnership, each completing their half-century.

Rahul (62 runs in 41 balls) was the first to go, but Kohli never slowed down. No bowler could match his brilliance. Rashid Khan, who was expected to put up a good fight, was not spared either.

Virat maintained his composure and went on to score his first T20I century. Notably, this was his 71st international century, which had taken 1021 days to arrive. He hit a six in the 19th over of the first innings to complete his century.

He ended the innings with a score of 122 not out after hitting 12 fours and six sixes. The right-hander struck out at a rate of 200 in his special innings. With this, Virat achieved the highest score for India in the T20I format.

The former Indian batter looked relieved after the match as he ended the wait of almost three years. "It was indeed (the celebrations were worth a 1000 words). Very blessed, very grateful right now. The last two and half years has thought me a lot, I am going to turn 34 in November, so the celebrations are for the past. I have put a lot of things into perspective," he said in the interview at the halfway stage.

Virat admitted that he was surprised that his 71st hundred came in the T20i format. "I was a bit shocked as this was the format I least expected for a century to come any time soon," he said.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Virat Kohli