- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
India’s Virat Kohli smashed his first T20 international century in an Asia Cup Super Four contest against Afghanistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday (8). It was also his 71st overall and the first international ton since November 2019, which he made against Bangladesh in a pink-ball Test match at home. He also equalled former Australia captain Ricky Ponting in the list of century makers which is topped by former India captain Sachin Tendulkar (100). India won the match by 101 runs to finish third in the Super Four after Sri Lanka and Pakistan who have made the finals.
Kohli, who came to out to open the Indian innings with stand-in captain KL Rahul in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, took 61 balls to smash an unbeaten 122 runs (12 fours and six sixes) at a strike rate of 200, much higher than his career strike rate of 137 in the same format. Rahul scored 62 (six fours and two sixes) off 41 as the duo put up 119 runs inside 13 overs to give the defending champions a launching pad.
Suryakumar Yadav managed only six runs off two balls while wicket-keeper-batter Rishabh Pant remained not out on 20 (three fours) off 16 balls as India posted a big 212 for 2 in 20 overs after Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and sent them to bat.
Afghanistan pacer Fareed Ahmad, who had an ugly spat with Pakistan’s Asif Ali in their heated match in Sharjah on Wednesday (7), took both the Indian wickets. Kohli hit his milestone with a four and six off the same bowler.
Afghanistan’s batting saw a devastating start with half their sides getting back into the pavilion for only 20 runs. Ibrahim Zadran’s 64 not out off 59 balls helped them to go past 100 and they finished on 111 for 8 in 20 overs, losing by 101 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the India bowlers with five wickets for only four runs in four overs.
Kohli, who has been going through a prolonged dull phase, returned to form in the Asia Cup with a couple of fifties against Hong Kong and Pakistan before the scintillating hundred on Thursday.
He also became only the fourth India cricketer to hit a century in all three formats — after Suresh Raina, Rohit and Rahul.
However, Kohli’s hundred meant a little as far as India’s standing in the Asia Cup is concerned as both India and Afghanistan crashed out of the tournament.
