For over 1000 days and 83 innings, a shadow of doubt lingered over Virat Kohli’s cricketing prowess. While runs continued to flow, the elusive international century remained out of reach. This was a stark contrast to the man who had already amassed 70 centuries in his illustrious career. However, on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai, Kohli emphatically silenced his critics.
Opening the innings for India, an unexpected opportunity presented itself due to Rohit Sharma’s absence. Kohli seized the moment with a masterclass, scoring a breathtaking 122 runs off just 61 balls. His innings was a spectacle of power and elegance, decorated with 12 fours and 6 sixes. This was not only his first T20I century but also his 71st across all formats, signifying his return to the pinnacle of the game. His last century came in a Test match against Bangladesh in November 2019.
Kohli’s unbeaten knock propelled India to a formidable total of 212 for 2, a target that proved insurmountable for Afghanistan. The final scorecard read: India 212 for 2 (Kohli 122*, KL Rahul 62; Fareed Ahmad 2 for 57) beat Afghanistan 111 for 8 (Ibrahim Zadran 64*; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5 for 4) by 101 runs. This victory was a testament to Kohli’s brilliance and a resounding reminder of his enduring ability to deliver under pressure.
