Virat Kohli notched up his 71st international century on Thursday in Dubai.
The cricketing world got to see the masterclass of Virat Kohli after three years on Thursday (September 8), and everyone is just talking about the dashing right-hander, with former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir becoming the latest to discuss the batter’s form.
As Rohit Sharma was rested for India vs. Afghanistan Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match, Kohli opened the innings alongside KL Rahul and shared a sensational 119-run stand to help Team India post 212 runs on the board. Chasing the total, Afghanistan was restricted to just 111 runs by India.
While Rahul made 62, Kohli notched up his 71st international century to end his century drought. The right-hander smashed 122* runs off just 61 balls, including 12 fours and six sixes.
Well, everyone is praising Kohli for his fabulous innings. Gambhir said that three years is a long time for any batter to not score a century, but was happy for the former skipper to finally find his form at the right time as India is gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.
He further said that things would not have been the same if other players hadn’t scored a century in three years, but Kohli got that backing from the team management for scoring loads of runs in the past.
Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports: “Look, he has to realize that it has been three years, not just three months. Three years is a very long time. I am not going to be critical of him but he has earned this backing as he has scored loads of runs in the past.”
He signed off by saying, “I don’t think any younger player would have survived in international cricket had they not got a 100 in the last three years. This eventually had to happen and it has happened just at the right time. But let’s be fair, I don’t think anyone would have survived for this long.”