Virat Kohli 71st international century: Virat Kohli’s 71st international century came at the unlikeliest of matches when he reached the coveted triple figures in a dead rubber Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul started for India with the former India captain batting like a house on fire from the get go.
Before this match, Kohli had last scored an international century against Bangladesh in a Pink Ball Test on November 23, 2019.
Along with the milestone, this was also Kohli’s very first 100 for India in T20 Internationals.
His unbeaten effort off 61 balls got him his first hundred since November 2019 and 71st overall, equalling Ricky Ponting’s tally of international hundreds. He is now only behind Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time list.
Opening the innings after being put into bat, KL Rahul scored 62 off 41 balls, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 122 off just 61 balls.
The duo shared a 119 runs for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for the total.
It was vintage Kohli on display as he stepped out to the spinners, pierced the field perfectly and even played a rare sweep shot.
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That sweep shot came in the sixth over bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rehman. The next ball he came down the track to hit a straight six. 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.
With India at 87 for no loss in 10 overs and Kohli on song, India looked set for a massive total.
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 and smiled before kissing his necklace as part his celebration.
He ended the innings in style by smashing two sixes and a four off Fazalhaq Farooqi to push India past 200.
(With PTI Inputs)
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