Asia Cup 2022: Will the knock against Hong Kong become the turning point Virat Kohli has been searching for?

Ask Virat Kohli. Once the best batsman in the world, now without a century for almost 3 years. The unbeaten 59 off 44 balls on Wednesday at the Asia Cup would have been very welcome runs for Kohli, even though they came against Hong Kong, who are ranked 20th in the ICC T20I team rankings. Runs under the belt always gives a batter confidence and prepares him or her for harder battles ahead. This was Kohli’s 31st T20I fifty overall - he has the maximum number of half centuries in T20I cricket overall - and though his last fifty in the shortest format was scored only 4 games ago (for him), it was over 6 months ago - on February 18, 2022.

(ANI Photo)Since then, Kohli has also played 2 ODIs, both against England with scores of 16 and 17, and 3 Test matches with scores of 45, 23 and 13 (against Sri Lanka) and 11 and 20 in the rescheduled fifth Test against England. Kohli also played 16 matches in IPL 2022 for RCB, in which he scored 341 runs at an average of 22.73, a strike rate of 115.98, with two half-centuries. When Kohli opted to rest for India’s T20I series against West Indies and the tour of Zimbabwe, there were many eyebrows raised. But there were also voices that supported the decision - people who knew that an extended break is what Virat really needed.

Read AlsoAsia Cup 2022: Hong Kong players gift Virat Kohli team jersey with a heartfelt message

The message on the jersey gifted by Hong Kong players read: "Virat, Thank you for inspiring a generation. We stand with you! There are many incredible days ahead. With strength. With love. Team Hong Kong."

Kohli’s 35-run knock against Pakistan in India’s Asia Cup opener was another reminder that he doesn't really have any problems with technique currently, like he did in