Watch: Virat Kohli Smashes Elusive 71st Century With Six In Asia Cup Match vs Afghanistan

08.09.2022 - 20:09 sports.ndtv.com

Virat Kohli hit his first international century since November 2019 with his maiden T20 ton for India as his side piled up 212-2 against Afghanistan at the Asia Cup on Thursday.

The star batsman stood unbeaten on 122 off 61 deliveries with 12 fours and six sixes in Dubai after India were put in to bat in their last Super Four contest after being eliminated from the tournament.

Kohli, 33, hit a four and a six off pace bowler Fareed Ahmad to reach his first India ton in nearly three years -- his last hundred coming in a Test against Bangladesh. Watch: Virat Kohli hits six to end century drought A long wait finally comes to an end.THAT'S A 100 FOR KING KOHLIDP World #AsiaCup2022 #INDvAFG #BelieveInBlue #TeamIndia #KingKohli #71 pic.twitter.com/aypvxXYs6D His previous best in 103 T20Is was 94 not out since his debut in 2010.

He put on an opening stand of 119 with KL Rahul, who made 62, to lay the foundations of the mammoth total as the Afghan bowlers struggled on their second successive day on the field.

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Team India failed to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup 2022, due to a below-par performance in the Super 12 stage. Despite the failure, the Rohit Sharma-led side and the cricket fans got a moment to cherish for their lifetime and that was star batter Virat Kohli's much-awaited 71st century. This milestone was achieved during the Super 12 clash against Afghanistan, where he smashed an unbeaten 122 off just 61 balls. Before this, he had last hit a century in November 2019. Following his knock, Virat had taken a moment to appreciate his wife, actress Anushka Sharma and his daughter for being his pillars in tough times.

"If You Would Have Asked Three Years Ago...": Ricky Ponting On Whether Virat Kohli Can Surpass Sachin Tendulkar's 100-Ton Tally

Surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's feat of 100 international centuries is "possible" for Virat Kohli, Australian great Ricky Ponting has said looking at the Indian superstar's new-found hunger for runs. Kohli recently ended a wait of 1,020 days for his 71st international hundred when he smashed 122 not out off 61 balls against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup earlier this month. "If you would have asked me three years ago, I'd have said yes. But the fact that it has slowed down as much as it did... yeah, I still think that it is possible for him, there's no doubt," Ponting said on The ICC Review.

Watch: Punjab Cricket Association Shares Video Of Virat Kohli's Arrival In Mohali With Punjabi Music

India batter Virat Kohli touched down in Mohali on Saturday ahead of India's first T20I of the three-match series against Australia that is slated to take place at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium on Tuesday. The PCA shared the video of Kohli's arrival in the city with some editing that also included attaching a Punjabi song in the background. In the video, Kohli can be seen walking out of the airport with police officers and security staff around him.

"Don't Start This Nonsense": India Great Gautam Gambhir On Changing Virat Kohli's Batting Position

Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team management must be feeling a lot light right now after the star batter ended his 1020-day century drought in style at the Asia Cup. Kohli 122* - the highest T20I score by an Indian - could not have come at a better time as the Rohit Sharma-led side prepares for the T20 World Cup in Australia. Kohli's ton against Afghanistan came while he was opening the batting for India. This has led many to ponder whether Kohli, who generally bats at No. 3 in T20Is, can be used as an opener.

Arshdeep "Could Not Sleep" After Asia Cup Match vs Pakistan, Coach Reveals

Young India pacer Arshdeep Singh became one of the major highlights of Asia Cup 2022, for both right and wrong reasons. The Punjab bowler, who made his international debut in the T20I against England this year, has played 11 matches and scalped 14 wickets so far. During the Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Pakistan, Arshdeep dropped a relatively easy catch of Asif Ali, following which he had to face a lot flak on social media. After India lost to Pakistan, where Arshdeep failed to defend seven runs of the last over, he had a chat with his coach Jaswant Rai, expressing disappointment on his performance.

Watch: Virat Kohli Interviewed By Rohit Sharma After His 71st International Century

India captain Rohit Sharma opted to rest in their final Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan, but Virat Kohli, opening the batting in his absence, smashed his 71st international century and his first in T20Is. Kohli went on to hit an unbeaten 122 off 61 deliveries as India romped to a 101-run win in Dubai. After the match, Kohli was interviewed by Rohit and he opened up about his innings and finally ending a century drought that lasted nearly three years.